Cyprus Plans to Negotiate New Agreement with Britain Regarding Its Bases on the Island

Cyprus has officially called on the United Kingdom to engage in negotiations aimed at revising the sovereign control that London maintains over its key military bases situated on the island. Specifically, the focus is on the bases at Akrotiri and Dhekelia, which hold significant importance for regional security. This information was reported by the publication 'European Truth', citing details from the Euractiv agency.

The legal framework proposed by Cyprus is based on a controversial agreement concerning the return of control over the Chagos Islands and the military base at Diego Garcia, which was established between the United Kingdom and Mauritius. Christos Pantelides, a member of the Democratic Party of Cyprus (DIKO) with insights into the negotiation process, emphasized that no one is 'naive' in expecting a complete withdrawal of British troops from the island. 'We are calling for a reassessment of relations and a review of the status on the terms of 2026,' he underscored.

A statement from the summit held on March 19 indicated that Nicosia received 'full support' from the European Union regarding the review of agreements related to the sovereign military bases. This includes discussions on contentious issues concerning sovereignty, jurisdiction, powers, and even the territorial extent of the areas controlled by the United Kingdom.

It is important to recall that Cyprus gained independence from the British Empire in 1960; however, the United Kingdom retained two sovereign bases on the island—Akrotiri and Dhekelia. These bases play a key role in military operations in the Middle East and remain vital strategic assets.

At the end of March, Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides announced the commencement of negotiations with the United Kingdom regarding the future of British bases on the island. Media reports have also indicated that Cyprus is demanding new and more reliable security guarantees from the United Kingdom, especially following recent attacks by Iranian drones on British military facilities on the island.

It is noteworthy that the United Kingdom has bolstered its military presence off the coast of Cyprus after the Ministry of Defence confirmed on March 2 that the Royal Air Force base at Akrotiri had been subjected to two attacks by Iranian drones. This development has been a significant factor prompting Cyprus to intensify negotiations with London regarding security and the status of British military bases on its territory.

Thus, the situation surrounding the British bases in Cyprus remains tense, and further negotiations could significantly impact relations between Cyprus and the United Kingdom, as well as the security situation in the region.