South Cyprus Seeks New Security Arrangements For British Bases

The report said the request followed Iranian drone attacks earlier this month, which prompted renewed concerns over security in the region. Greek Cypriot leader Nikos Christodoulides reportedly raised the issue during a phone call with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer.

According to The Telegraph, Christodoulides is seeking a renegotiation of security arrangements related to the sovereign base areas of Akrotiri and Dhekelia, established in 1960, once the ongoing Iran conflict subsides. The report noted that South Cyprus is not calling for the removal of the British bases.

A spokesperson for the UK Ministry of Defence told Reuters that the status of the bases is not open to discussion. The spokesperson stressed that the sovereign base areas have never been part of the Republic of Cyprus and have remained under British sovereignty since 1960, adding that this position will not change.

Meanwhile, Deputy Government Spokesman Yannis Antoniou said the Greek Cypriot side wants to engage in dialogue with the UK regarding both the status and operation of the bases. He described the current arrangements as “a relic of another era” and argued that they should be reassessed within the framework of a modern European Union member state.

Antoniou added that legal opinions had been sought regarding the 1960 agreements and described the security dimension as complex, noting that it would be addressed in future talks with London. He said the issue gained urgency after a drone crash in the base areas and concerns that approximately 10,000 residents were not informed in a timely manner. The matter has also been discussed at the National Council.

On the political front, AKEL Secretary General Stefanos Stefanou said the government is not raising the prospect of removing the bases or altering their status. Instead, he said the proposed dialogue with the UK is primarily focused on improving daily life for residents within the base areas and supporting regional development.

Stefanou also underlined that the presence of the bases remains a political issue directly linked to the Cyprus problem, pointing to the United Kingdom’s role as a guarantor power.