Cyprus leader wants new talks on ‘colonial’ RAF bases

WorldPolitics
25 Mar 2026 • 6:16 PM MYT
The Independent
The Independent

The world’s most free-thinking newspaper

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  • Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides has called for "open and frank" discussions with the British government regarding the future security arrangements of UK military bases on the island.
  • The move follows Iranian drone attacks on RAF Akrotiri, prompting concerns that the base could pose a security threat to Cyprus.
  • Mr Christodoulides aims to renegotiate the 1960 treaty that established the sovereign bases.
  • He described them as a "colonial consequence" and cited responsibility for 10,000 Cypriot citizens living within them.
  • The UK Ministry of Defence said that the status of the Sovereign Base Areas is not up for negotiation, saying that UK sovereignty over these areas remains unchanged since 1960.

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