Revealed: Cyprus's demands to Britain over RAF bases amid fears of 'Chagos-style' plan

Cyprus's demands to Britain over the future of RAF bases on the island have been revealed amid fears of a "Chagos-style" plan. Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides had a “long” phone call with Sir Keir Starmer over the weekend, where he called for negotiations over the long-standing bases. Nicosia has called for improved security guarantees from Britain following a drone attack on RAF Akrotiri on March 1. The Mediterranean island nation is seeking a renegotiation of the arrangements established in the 1960 Treaty of Nicosia once the conflict in the Middle East ends, according to The Telegraph. TRENDING Stories Videos Your Say The agreement, which saw Cyprus gain independence from the UK, also established the RAF Akrotiri and Dhekelia sovereign bases on the island. The Cypriots are said to have warned Britain that an agreement over the bases was no longer fit for purpose. However, it is understood Nicosia will not be seeking the removal of the bases from the island as part of any new deal. The country could request greater transparency from Britain over future deployments, missions and security risks from the bases, which cover 99 square miles of the island's territory - but are legally British turf. Ahead of an EU leaders' summit in Brussels last week, Mr Christodoulides said: “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.” The Cypriot leader went on to brand the existence of the UK's two military bases on island a "colonial consequence". Following his remarks, the MoD said the status of the bases was not up for negotiation. It added that the "long-standing friendship" between the UK and Cyprus remained strong "in the face of Iranian threats". "The status of the Sovereign Base Areas is not in question. The SBAs have never been part of the Republic of Cyprus as UK sovereignty was retained over these areas when Cyprus became independent in 1960. CYPRUS - READ THE LATEST: HMS Dragon FINALLY arrives to defend Cyprus three weeks after Iranian drone strike EU backs Cyprus after it demands Chagos-style talks on 'colonial' RAF bases Cypriot President demands 'open discussion' on future of UK bases after Iran bombards RAF Akrotiri "We have no plans to change this," the department said. The Cypriot Government has faced growing internal pressure to remove the bases from the island in the aftermath of the drone attack. One week after the strike, hundreds of Cypriots protested in the capital demanding Britain relinquish the bases. Chants of “Say it loud, say it clear, British bases out of here" were heard as demonstrators marched to the presidential palace in central Nicosia. The protest's organiser, Nico Panayiotou, told The Telegraph the existence of the bases "put Cyprus in danger", adding: "We don’t want the island used as a launchpad for military attacks." The existence of the bases is often credited with bolstering the demilitarised zone between Turkish-occupied Northern Cyprus and the independent south. The facilities stopped the Turkish Army advancing during its 1974 invasion of the island out of fear of drawing Britain into the conflict. Mr Panayiotou also pointed to Britain's Chagos "surrender deal" with Mauritius, saying it was proof that "if there’s pressure then things can change". Following Sir Keir's talks with Cypriot leader on Saturday, a No10 spokesman said: “The Prime Minister began by underscoring that as close partners and friends, Cyprus’s security was of utmost importance to the UK. “The Prime Minister reiterated that RAF Akrotiri would not be involved in the UK’s continuation of its agreement with the US to use UK bases in collective self-defence of the region, including for the degrading of Iranian missile capabilities.” Our Standards: The GB News Editorial Charter

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