Cyprus and the United Kingdom have agreed to upgrade their strategic dialogue, strengthen cooperation on developments in the Middle East and advance discussions on issues concerning the British bases, Foreign Minister Constantinos Kombos said on Wednesday following an official visit to London.<\/p>\n
During the visit, Kombos held meetings with the UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper and Minister for Europe Stephen Doughty, with bilateral relations, regional developments and the Cyprus problem topping the agenda.<\/p>\n
Kombos said the two countries agreed that the next round of the Cyprus-UK Strategic Dialogue would be held at ministerial level before the end of the year, following an interim review in the autumn.<\/p>\n
The two sides also agreed to establish an annual dialogue on developments in the Middle East and the wider region to strengthen coordination on regional security and stability.<\/p>\n
A significant part of the discussions focused on Schengen-related issues concerning the British bases.<\/p>\n
Kombos said the two governments had agreed on the basis for advancing the technical and operational arrangements required to fulfil Cyprus\u2019 obligations ahead of its planned accession to the Schengen area.<\/p>\n
He added that the Cypriot side also raised a number of issues affecting Republic of Cyprus citizens living within the British bases.<\/p>\n
According to Kombos, the matters were categorised according to their complexity and urgency, with both sides agreeing to hold a follow-up meeting in September to establish a mechanism for examining and resolving them.<\/p>\n
Among the issues discussed was the planned installation of a new antenna system within the British bases, with Kombos saying Nicosia expects a prompt and positive response from the British authorities.<\/p>\n
Talks also covered the latest developments on the Cyprus problem.<\/p>\n
Kombos briefed his counterparts on recent efforts to restart negotiations, adding that the United Kingdom, as a guarantor power, had reaffirmed its commitment to a settlement based on the relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions.<\/p>\n
Following the meetings, Doughty wrote on X that he had been pleased to meet Kombos and members of the Cypriot community during the two-day visit.<\/p>\n
\u201cCyprus is a long-standing friend and partner of the United Kingdom, and our relationship continues to grow stronger,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Cypriot government has made extensive efforts in its attempts to bring about a \u201cconversation\u201d regarding a potential future change in their status after the Akrotiri base was\u00a0hit by an Iranian-made drone<\/a>\u00a0in March.<\/p>\n President Nikos Christodoulides, for example, had described the bases as a \u201ccolonial remnant<\/a>\u201d, before going on to promise upon his arrival at a European Council summit that \u201cwe are going to have an open and frank discussion with the British government\u201d\u00a0over them.<\/p>\n Following that summit, the\u00a0European Council<\/a>\u00a0itself declared that it\u00a0\u201cstands ready to assist\u201d the Cypriot government in discussions regarding the bases\u2019\u00a0future\u00a0and stating that it \u201cacknowledges the intention of Cyprus to initiate a discussion with the UK\u201d on the matter.<\/p>\n Later, deputy government spokesman\u00a0Yiannis Antoniou<\/a>\u00a0said that the government had sought and received legal advice regarding the treaty which established the bases, adding that \u201cthe issue of security is complex and will be the subject of discussion with the British side\u201d.<\/p>\n The UK itself had appeared to be in no mood for such a discussion, however, with country\u2019s then parliamentary undersecretary of state for the armed forces\u00a0Al Carns saying that the bases\u2019 future is \u201cnot in question<\/a>\u201d. Carns then resigned from the government last month, saying that insufficient funds had been allocated to defence.<\/p>\n Nonetheless, since April, the Cypriot government has been less fervent in its pursuit of a conversation regarding the bases\u2019 future.<\/p>\n Only Kourion mayor Pantelis Georgiou continuing to publicly make the case in recent weeks, accusing the bases\u2019 administration of\u00a0\u201clying\u201d to his municipality<\/a>\u00a0over the placement of communications antennae near Akrotiri.<\/p>\n