President Christodoulides discusses plans for British bases in Cyprus

President Nikos Christodoulides announced on Tuesday that the government has a specific plan regarding the future of British sovereign base areas in Cyprus. Speaking at the Ayia Napa Marina during preparations for an upcoming informal European Council summit, Christodoulides noted that preparatory work began prior to his recent public comments. While the Cypriot government describes the bases as a colonial legacy, it maintains positive cooperation with the British government. The European Council recently acknowledged Cyprus's intention to initiate discussions with the UK, expressing readiness to assist in the process. This development follows reports of the British Ministry of Defence stating it does not intend to negotiate the current status of the bases. The informal summit of European leaders is scheduled to take place in Cyprus on April 23-24, 2026. The President views the European Council's explicit recognition of his government's intentions as a significant development. Despite conflicting stances on the potential for status negotiations, diplomatic efforts are moving forward.