In a discussion with the BBC at the EU summit in Brussels, Cyprus president Nikos Christodulidis announced that after stabilising the situation in the mediate East, an open and fair discussion with the UK government on British bases on the island was planned. erstwhile asked if he was seeking to destruct them, he stressed that Cyprus had a clear position on the matter, but did not intend to negociate in public space.
The BBC points out that the British bases represent an crucial origin of employment for the people of Cyprus, and any discussion of their future would be very complicated. The negotiations would should be attended not only by representatives of the United Kingdom and both Cypriot communities – Greek-speaking and Turkish-speaking – but besides by delegations of Greece and Turkey, which are parties to the 1960 Treaty governing the position of the island.
Drone attack on Cyprus
The United Kingdom retained 2 military bases in Cyprus – Akrotiri and Dhekelia – under the 1960 agreement, accompanying the island's independence. These areas, with a full area of about 254 km2, have the position of British overseas territory and stay under the control of London.
At the beginning of the U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran, Shahed drones attacked the British Air Force base in Akrotiri, Cyprus, causing insignificant harm and not leading to fatalities.
I want to make it clear that our country is not participating and is not going to participate in any military action. said the president of Cyprus in a statement.
After the drone attack, respective alliance states decided to strengthen the military presence around Cyprus. Greece sent F‐16 frigates and fighter jets to the Mediterranean to aid defend the island from further threats, and France had its own warship and air defence systems in place to support anti-drone and rocket defence in the region.
Tourism of the island will feel it
The British “Guardian” underlines that the Cypriot tourism manufacture is beginning to feel the effects of tensions in the mediate East. The paper points out that no place in Europe will feel the consequences of the conflict on the horizon more than Cyprus.
Last year 4 million tourists visited the island, of which about a 3rd were the British. Following fresh events, the British MFA issued a informing that terrorist attacks could not be ruled out in the country.
