An alert message from the British base in Akrotiri shifted the tone of discussions and gave President Nikos Christodoulides an additional opportunity to advance what he envisions as the "legacy" of the Cypriot Presidency. Circumstances and small details appear to be working in his favour, turning what had been a theoretical discussion into a political tool with tangible implications.
During the discussion on the Middle East, and shortly before his intervention, the President received the SMS regarding the alert at Akrotiri. Seizing the moment, he used the incident to move the debate from a general geopolitical level to an immediate European security issue with a direct Cypriot dimension.
The drone attack on the British bases transformed European security from an abstract concept into a practical and immediate concern, activating one of the key pillars set by the Cypriot Presidency. Using the incident as a reference point, the President explained to European partners the status of the bases and how this affects the Cypriot population living within and around them.
He also pointed out that on the night of the attack, only base personnel were informed, while Cypriot citizens residing in the area were not notified, highlighting an aspect that, as he implied, cannot be ignored within the framework of European security.
According to government sources, an “honest discussion” followed, during which both the issue of the bases and the need to establish a mechanism in the event of the activation of Article 42.7 of the European Union were placed on the table. The launch of this discussion is considered likely to form a key part of the "legacy" of the Cypriot Presidency.
At the same time, it was noted that countries in the Middle East and the wider Eastern Mediterranean expect the European Union to take initiatives towards de-escalation and to make a serious and coordinated effort. The EU is called upon to demonstrate in practice that it is genuinely concerned about developments.
The issue of the bases in the international spotlight
The issue of the British bases in Cyprus was raised directly with President Nikos Christodoulides during his doorstep statements in the morning, following a question from the BBC. The President confirmed the intention of the Republic of Cyprus to open a dialogue with the United Kingdom, while avoiding public negotiation on the substance of that discussion.
“When this unfortunate situation in Cyprus is over, we need to have an open and frank discussion with the British government with regard to the status of the British Bases, the status and the future of the British Bases in Cyprus.”
He refrained from providing further details, stating that “I'm not going to negotiate publicly. I'm not going to put my request publicly, but we need to open this discussion. The British Bases in Cyprus is a colonial consequence on the island. We have more than 10,000 Cypriot citizens within the British Bases, we have responsibility for those people, and when the situation is over in the Middle East, we are going to have an open and frank discussion with the British government.”
When asked whether he seeks renegotiation or removal of the bases, he added: “We have a clear approach with regard to the future of the British Bases. I'm sure you understand that I'm not going to negotiate publicly.”