Cyprus President: British Bases Not Used and Will Not Be Used in Operations

President Nikos Christodoulides stated that British Sovereign Base Areas in Cyprus have not been used and will not be used for military operations in the region.

According to the President, he received this assurance following an initiative by the British Prime Minister, specifically regarding facilities such as RAF Akrotiri. The head of state noted that Cyprus is closely monitoring the situation and maintains constant communication with neighboring countries, the EU, the US, and the UK. The Foreign Minister has held discussions with nearly all of his counterparts.

The President confirmed that the ESTIA emergency response plan has been activated. Currently, no requests for assistance from third countries have been received, though authorities have approved requests to park aircraft at Cypriot airports. Christodoulides mentioned that diplomatic missions are ready to assist Cypriot citizens as soon as the situation permits, noting that many regional airports are closed for obvious reasons. Earlier, a National Security Council meeting was held, and the President emphasized his ongoing contact with the Ministers of Foreign Affairs, Defence, and Justice. Regarding an EU-level coordination role, he clarified that this falls under the remit of the EU High Representative.