Cyprus is preparing to open talks with the UK over the future of the British bases on the island once the current Middle East conflict ends, as President Nikos Christodoulides signals a broader review of their role.
In an interview with Bloomberg TV on Friday Christodoulides said Cyprus and the UK must address the issue openly and comprehensively, linking the debate to the island’s colonial past and current security concerns.
Cyprus pushes for postwar talks on British bases
“The issue of the British bases needs to be discussed,” Christodoulides said, arguing that Cyprus’ colonial history still shapes their presence on the island.
“The bases are a consequence of the colonial period in Cyprus,” he said.
Christodoulides also highlighted the human dimension of the issue, noting that more than 10,000 citizens live within the British base areas. He said Cyprus has a duty to protect those residents and safeguard their well-being.
Strike puts more pressure on Cyprus and the UK
The call for talks follows a drone strike earlier this month on a British base on the Mediterranean island. The attack marked the first, and so far only, strike on European territory linked to the widening Middle East conflict.
That incident sharpened scrutiny over Europe’s vulnerability as tensions involving Iran continue to spread. It also raised broader questions about how far Europe will go to defend its perimeter without entering the conflict more directly.
Christodoulides said he had already raised concerns with the British prime minister over the way authorities handled the crisis.
“I have already had a discussion with the prime minister, with certain developments that we saw and we didn’t like with the handling of this crisis,” he said.
He added that once the conflict ends, both sides should “put everything on the table” and discuss the future of the bases together.
UK military role keeps British bases in focus
RAF Akrotiri remains at the center of the debate as a key strategic hub for British and allied operations in the eastern Mediterranean and the Middle East.
The base supports surveillance missions, air defense, and logistical operations, making it one of the UK’s most important military assets in the region.
Amid broader regional unrest, Britain has recently authorized several overseas facilities to support defensive operations. Critics warn that the decision could expose those installations to retaliatory strikes.
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