Nicosia, Cyprus. The Cypriot government has sought legal advice on the treaty that established the United Kingdom’s two sovereign bases in Cyprus, deputy government spokesman Yiannis Antoniou said on Tuesday. He said security issues are complex and will be discussed with the British side.
Legal advice and planned talks
Antoniou told CyBC radio that the government has “received legal advice on the issue of the 1960 agreements” and that “the issue of security is complex and will be the subject of discussion with the British side”.
Key provisions of the 1960 treaty
The Treaty of Establishment of the Republic of Cyprus entered force in 1960 and was signed by the then leaders of the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot communities, Archbishop Makarios III and Dr Fazil Kucuk, who later became the republic’s first president and vice president.
The treaty’s first article states that “the territory of the Republic of Cyprus shall comprise the island of Cyprus, together with the islands lying off its coast, with the exception of the two areas … which shall remain under the sovereignty of the United Kingdom” — the base areas in Akrotiri and Dhekelia.
A later article states that “the United Kingdom authorities shall have the right for United Kingdom military aircraft to fly in the airspace over the territory of the Republic of Cyprus without restriction other than to have due regard for the safety of other aircraft and the safety of life and property in the Republic of Cyprus”.
European Council stance and government rhetoric
Antoniou’s comments followed a European Council statement last week that it “acknowledges the intention of Cyprus to initiate a discussion with the UK on the UK bases in Cyprus and stands ready to assist when needed”.
The conclusion came after President Nikos Christodoulides said upon arriving at the summit that “we are going to have an open and frank discussion with the British government” over the future of the bases.
Christodoulides said the bases are “a colonial consequence” and noted that more than 10,000 Cypriot citizens live within them, adding that Cyprus has responsibilities toward those residents. He also said on Wednesday that the “level of cooperation” between the British and Cypriot governments is “extremely positive”, while the government has adopted stronger rhetoric regarding the bases’ future.
What issues do you think should be prioritised in Cyprus’ planned discussions with the UK about the sovereign bases?