London, United Kingdom. The National Federation of Cypriots in the UK met Britain’s Europe Minister Stephen Doughty on Tuesday to seek stronger security guarantees after a drone attack on RAF Akrotiri on 1 March, the Federation said.
Meeting and concerns raised
Federation President Christos Karaolis and Vice President Michalis Ellinas met Doughty in London and opened the meeting by condemning the attack, according to a Federation press release. The Federation said they told the minister that residents of the Sovereign Base Areas had been alarmed and sought assurances that base authorities were taking all necessary precautions in close coordination with the Cypriot government.
UK response and security measures
Doughty reaffirmed that the safety of all Cypriots was a top priority for the UK government, the Federation said. He confirmed that anti-missile and counter-drone capabilities had been reinforced before and after the attack, including through the deployment of HMS Dragon and additional Wildcat and Merlin helicopters.
The Federation said steps were also being taken to improve real-time information sharing with residents in the Base Areas.
Coordination with Cyprus and travel advice
The Federation officers stressed the importance of deeper security coordination between the UK and the Republic of Cyprus, citing the importance of stability in Cyprus and the broader Eastern Mediterranean, according to the Federation. Doughty said enhanced defence and security collaboration was a central pillar of the UK-Cyprus strategic dialogue and that engagement was ongoing at the highest levels, including through the recent visit of the Defence Secretary to Cyprus, the Federation said.
The minister also confirmed that the Foreign Office was not currently advising against travel to Cyprus, while urging British nationals to continue monitoring travel advice for countries across the region.
Federation statement
Karaolis said in a statement issued by the Federation after the meeting that the organisation had been reassured the UK government was taking measures to safeguard Cyprus and all the people on the island. He said the Federation would remain in close contact with the UK government and Doughty to ensure the concerns of the community continued to be heard.
What steps would you like to see taken to improve real-time information sharing for residents in the Sovereign Base Areas?
