Press Releases

It is with great pleasure that I welcome you to today’s event aimed at informing about the implementation, as of 16 May 2022, of the Agreement on the Non-Military Development of the British Sovereign Base Areas.

A truly historic agreement for the Republic of Cyprus and the residents and owners of land and property within the limits of the Bases, as well as a tangible proof of the excellent relations between Cyprus and the United Kingdom.

An agreement reached on 15 January 2014 between Prime Minister David Cameron and myself, and signed by Foreign Ministers Messrs. William Haik and Ioannis Kasoulides.

On the basis of the provisions:

Firstly: For the first time since the establishment of the Republic of Cyprus and the relevant treaties of 1960, and despite the efforts from time to time of previous governments, the final and holistic regulation for the development of land and property within the limits of the British Bases has been achieved.

Secondly: It is also, for the first time since the establishment of the Republic of Cyprus, the largest change of land use, as 80 % of the territory of the British Bases, approximately 200 square kilometers out of a total of 255, changes status and become part of planning zones, for the benefit of 4 municipalities and 23 communities that fall either partially or in their entirety within the Base areas.

In this context, 6.150 hectares can be used for residential, tourist, commercial, livestock and agricultural development purposes, while the rest of the area becomes part of protection or mild development zones.

Thirdly: A timeless and fully justified request of the landowners affected for the utilization of their properties is satisfied in an equal and proportionate manner compared to the owners of property in the areas controlled by the Republic of Cyprus, thus removing the distortions and imbalances they have experienced for 62 years.

From now on, owners of property in the Base areas will follow the procedure that is in force in the Republic of Cyprus in relation to both planning and building permits and to the right of free disposal by property owners to Cypriots, European citizens, as well as citizens of third countries.

And as it goes without saying, this Agreement, the first in essence Development Plan to be implemented in the Bases, is expected to bring significant prospects for growth, activity and multiple benefits, not only for residents who live or have property in the Bases, but also to the economy and society, more widely, during a particularly difficult period due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Fourthly: It demonstrates the enhanced and excellent level of relations between the Republic of Cyprus and the United Kingdom, which led to the conclusion and completion of the said Agreement.

As regards individual aspects of the Agreement, relevant information on the relevant provisions and procedures for the submission of applications will be provided through the websites of the Department of Town Planning and Housing, while citizens will be able to receive relevant information from the offices of the competent District Administrations, as well as from the Community Councils and Municipalities that fall within the British Bases.

I have to admit that the whole effort to complete the Agreement since its signature on 15 January 2014 has been time-consuming, and justifiably so, since the complexity of the case should not be overlooked, the multitude of issues raised during the negotiations, in order to achieve the best possible results.

This is not only because of the special status of the Bases and the environmental, military and security issues that have arisen, but because, as I have mentioned above, it was the largest change of use in planning and development in the Republic of Cyprus.

Thanks to the sincere and constructive cooperation between the Republic of Cyprus and the United Kingdom, especially between the Ministries involved — and I can see here Tasos Tzionis, who had undertaken the entire negotiation on behalf of the Foreign Ministry, but also the respective officers of the British Foreign Ministry and officers from various departments such as the Department of Town Planning, Land Registry etc. — it has been possible to find mutually beneficial solutions and to overcome any difficulties, as the primary concern was the implementation of the Agreement with a view to enhancing the development potential and prosperity of the municipalities, communities and the residents and the owners of properties in the Bases areas, who will benefit as a result of the present Agreement.

Once again, I would like to express my full satisfaction with the entry into force of the Agreement on the Non-Military Development of the British Sovereign Base Areas, which is an essential and valuable milestone in the further deepening of relations between Cyprus and the United Kingdom.

A milestone which demonstrates and proves in practice the enhanced bilateral and international cooperation framework observed in recent years between the two countries.

In conclusion, I would once again like to express my sincere thanks to the UK Government and the High Commissioner here, my friend Stefan Lily, and to the relevant officials of the Ministries involved and their UK counterparts, who have worked hard and dutifully for the implementation of the Development Plan.

I wish all the best with the new Agreement, especially in strengthening the relations between the two countries, but also in our effort to see our country reunited, so that the unacceptable situation can end, because today some distortions are corrected, but there are also some other that have been pending for 48 years.

(MPO/RM)