The United Kingdom has ruled out any negotiations regarding the legal status of its military bases in Cyprus, despite calls from Nicosia for a formal discussion on their future.
In an exclusive interview with The Telegraph, British Minister for the Armed Forces Al Carns insisted that ceding sovereignty over Akrotiri and Dhekelia is not on the table. “We have to be absolutely clear on this, the legal status of the Sovereign Base Areas is unshakable,” Carns stated.
The firm stance follows a declaration by Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides, who announced plans to renegotiate the future of the “colonial” bases once hostilities in the Middle East conclude. Security concerns on the island intensified after Iran and its allies targeted Cyprus with ballistic missiles and drones—retaliation for US military campaigns—striking a hangar at RAF Akrotiri.
Cyprus pushes for discussions on status of UK bases
Following the Chagos Islands agreement, allies of President Christodoulides have reportedly been exploring a similar model whereby sovereignty would transfer to Cyprus, with the facilities being leased back to the UK for continued military use.
Speaking from RAF Akrotiri, Carns rejected this comparison and the possibility of returning control. Instead, he emphasized that the current focus should remain on the “unified defence plan” involving British, Cypriot, American, and French forces.
“We understand that there are some frictions, but the reality is that the legal basis of these sovereign areas is non-negotiable,” Carns added. In response to recent threats, British commanders have significantly bolstered the island’s defenses. A complex air defense network has been established over the last five weeks, incorporating F-35 and Typhoon jets, radar-equipped helicopters, and the deployment of the destroyer HMS Dragon. Additionally, the UK has reinforced its presence with five hundred extra air defense personnel.
Related: Greece and Cyprus Reactivate Common Defense Doctrine
See all the latest news from Greece and the world at Greekreporter.com. Contact our newsroom to report an update or send your story, photos and videos. Follow GR on Google News and subscribe here to our daily email!
