Tag: Cyprus politics

UK ‘bases of death’ see controversy amid Middle East conflict

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Activists claim the UK and US use Cyprus as an “unsinkable warship” as recent conflicts in the Middle East spark renewed controversy over British military bases on the Mediterranean island.

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“We don’t want our island to be part of these wars,” Athina Kariati, a member of United for Palestine in Cyprus, told Euronews. “They are not for democracy, peace or justice.”

The Cypriot activist is part of a movement protesting against UK bases on the Mediterranean island, which are reportedly playing a significant role in recent conflicts in the Middle East.

“Western powers use Cyprus as an unsinkable warship,” she said. “This cannot continue.”

Numerous reports, including by DeclassifiedUK and Haaretz, claim UK and US forces are supporting Israel’s catastrophic offensive in Gaza with weapons and intelligence from Akrotiri and Dhekelia in southern Cyprus. 

The UK government has repeatedly denied this, saying that no Royal Air Force (RAF) flights to Israel have transported lethal cargo. 

RAF Akrotiri – a 40-minute flight from Tel Aviv – was also widely reported as the staging post for airstrikes on Houthi rebels in Yemen in January, prompting angry crowds to gather outside the facility and chant “out with the bases of death.”

Kept by the UK after Cyprus won independence from its colonial rule several decades ago, the two sites – which cover 3% of the country – have remained in the background for decades. 

But recent events in the Middle East have galvanised local groups against them.

‘Leftover from colonialism’

Since the Israel-Hamas war broke out on 7 October, they have become increasingly aware of a “daily increase” in flights from Akrotiri and an alleged ramped-up military presence there.

Activist Kariati says she opposes Cyprus being used to support Israeli attacks on Palestinians because of her country’s own experience of foreign interference and occupation.

“We do know what invasion means,” she told Euronews. “The memory is very fresh… The apartheid and settler genocide that is taking place in Gaza is very close to what we experienced [in Cyprus].”

“We don’t want that to happen to anybody,” Kariati added.

Following a prolonged period of ethnic tensions, Turkey invaded northern Cyprus in 1974, leading to its division into the Greek Cypriot Republic of Cyprus in the south and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. The conflict resulted in widespread death, violence and displacement on both sides.

Cypriot activists also claim UK and US actions risk making Cyprus itself a target, with their strikes in Yemen having raised fears of regional escalation.

“People are afraid of retaliation,” says Kariati. “This is one reason some join the struggle against the bases.”

“Can we say Cyprus is safe? I am not sure.”

The EU’s most easterly state has not experienced violent overspill from the Middle East – bar a stray Syrian anti-aircraft missile that hit the north in 2019. Still, concerns are rising that the Israel Hamas war could engulf the wider region. 

In a statement sent to Euronews, a UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) spokesperson said: “British Forces Cyprus plays a vital role in supporting humanitarian and disaster relief operations, such as pursuing humanitarian maritime routes to move aid into Gaza.

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“The only intelligence support provided to Israel has been specifically through the use of unarmed RAF aircraft to locate hostages_”  they said about the 240 people taken hostage by Palestinian militants, after their deadly 7 October assault on southern Israel.

“The Sovereign Base Areas make a major contribution to the security and stability of Europe and the wider region. The Republic of Cyprus is a trusted and valuable partner and the SBAs support joint UK-Cyprus efforts on many shared challenges, including participation in Cyprus’ civilian evacuation operations,” the statement continued. 

The UK MoD pointed to its humanitarian activity at the bases, detailing that British Forces Cyprus support efforts to ensure aid is provided to all those who are suffering as a result of the conflict in Gaza.

‘They don’t want to break relationships’

When Cyprus gained independence from the UK in 1960, London struck a deal with Turkey, Greece and Cypriot community leaders. The agreement outlined that Akrotiri and Dhekelia would both remain under British jurisdiction as sovereign territories. They operate beyond the reach of Cypriot authorities. 

Although the UK is not ‘controlling’ the country, Kariati claimed the bases are seen as “colonial” by many on the island.

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“Can we act as we want when parts of our land are occupied and controlled by an imperialist force? ” she asked. “There are places that Cypriot people don’t have any control over.”

Cypriot officials have repeatedly said they are not involved in any military operations, with the UK not obliged to inform them about activity in the facilities under their treaty of establishment.

Yet, The Guardian has reported that the US ambassador and British high commissioner briefed the Cypriot president of imminent military action in Yemen before the first round of airstrikes in January.

Campaigners like Kariati allege the government of the Republic of Cyprus is complicit in the bloodshed in Gaza by allowing the UK and US to help Israel.

“They [the leaders] use excuses that legal reasons mean they don’t have the right to do anything. But if they wanted to, they could make a political statement that they are against the war.”

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The Cypriot government did not reply to Euronews’ request for comment.

‘New militarisation of Cyprus’

However, the UK is not the only country operating on Cypriot soil.

French aircraft use a military air base in the southeastern corner of the island, DeclassifiedUK reports the US military has increased its presence on the Mediterranean Island, though this is unconfirmed. 

Alongside being a “very strategic point on the map”, Kariati claims Western powers are interested in Cyprus because of recently discovered gas reserves.

A US firm began exploratory drilling of natural gas in 2011, despite warnings from Turkey that the move could upset peace on the island. Cyprus announced in 2017 that licenses for well drilling had been granted to Exxon Mobil, Italy’s ENI and France’s Total.

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In parallel, Israel and Cyprus created an exclusive economic zone (EEZ) in 2011 that clarified the two countries’ rights to oil and underwater gas reservoirs. Israel, Cyprus, the United States and Greece then agreed to enhance cooperation in energy, cyber and infrastructure security in 2019. 

Kariati claims these developments helped shift support in Cyprus towards Israel, with the country outwardly backing the Palestinians through the 1980s and 90s, alongside a “new militarisation” of the island.

“The military presence on and around Cyprus is rising in number and power. It doesn’t make us feel safe in any way,” she continued.



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Cyprus president wants EU help to revive dialogue with Turkey

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With the Russian invasion of Ukraine in full swing, the geopolitical landscape has completely changed, as have the priorities of the European Union, and its relations with other countries.

To discuss all this, and the new initiatives on the ongoing dispute between Greek Cypriots in the south and Turkish Cypriots in the north of the country, known as the ‘Cyprus problem’, Euronews spoke to the new President of the Republic of Cyprus, Nikos Christodoulides, during his first visit to Brussels as President, for the EU Summit.

‘The Cyprus problem’

On his trip to the European Union’s capital as President of Cyprus, Nikos Christodoulides came armed with a concrete proposal for a more active role for the European Union in resolving the Cyprus problem.

But given that dialogue between Cyprus and Turkey and the Turkish Cypriots has been frozen over the last six years, and considering that Turkey is currently further than ever from the European Union, what is Nikos Christodoulides expecting, and what can the European Union achieve that he could not after all these years?

“When launching an effort to resolve the Cyprus problem, we should always take into account the international situation. It is not ourselves who influence international developments, we are actually affected by international developments. 

“And what is the current state of affairs? The current state of affairs is that we have an illegal Russian invasion of Ukraine and we have a European Union, which, yes, pays the price for its decisions which are perfectly correct and we agree and participate in the decision-making process, but develops a leading role, also taking into account the impact of this Russian invasion on other actors in the international system. This is the first dimension: a leading role on behalf of the European Union in a crisis on the European continent.

“The second dimension is the election of a new President of the Republic of Cyprus. The third dimension concerns the elections in Turkey. We have a period until the elections in Turkey, which we should take advantage of, so that dialogue can resume.”

Upcoming elections in Turkey

With the Turkish presidential elections scheduled for May, Euronews asked the Cypriot president what changes he envisages, in the event that Recep Tayyip Erdoğan gets re-elected, or if the leader of the main opposition, Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu, becomes Turkey’s next president.

“I certainly do not expect radical changes in Turkish foreign policy. At least this is what the history of Turkish foreign policy shows over time. But the election of a new president, whether it is Mr Erdogan or the leader of the current opposition still brings a new situation,” Christodoulides explained.

“And, I repeat, the important thing is to make use of this period, and that is what we have agreed with the three presidents of the EU institutions, to create the conditions immediately after the elections in Turkey, to resume talks on the basis of the agreed framework. Because, more than anyone else, we want an end to the occupation and the reunification of our homeland,” he added.

How does Christodoulides propose the EU tackles the ‘Cyprus problem’?

Given that the Cypriot president wishes for EU institutions to take the lead in dealing with tensions in Cyprus, Euronews asked Nikos Christodoulides if he sees this as putting the Cyprus problem in the context of EU-Turkey relations.

“There are two aspects of our proposal. The first is about the need to break the deadlock. We are not in the talks yet, but the first attempt is about breaking the deadlock to get the talks back on track. Here, we need the European Union’s leading involvement.

“But always in the context of the United Nations. We are not attempting to take the Cyprus issue away from the United Nations. On the contrary, the United Nations and the framework of the resolutions are our safeguards in the pursuit of our objective.

“But in order to break the deadlock, we believe that the European Union, through the appointment of a political official, through the actions of the institutions themselves, can support us to achieve this goal. And this is the first aspect of our proposal, it’s what we’re focusing on and aim to achieve immediately after the elections in Turkey.

“With the resumption of dialogue comes the second part of the proposal. A very specific aspect of our proposal is the technocratic support for the talks as soon as they resume.”

Cyprus’ historic ties with Russia

The Republic of Cyprus has historically had very good relations and strong ties with Russia in the past. Indeed, many aspects of this were severely criticised by Europe. But where do relations between the two countries stand today?

“Yes, there were historically strong ties with the Russian Federation, especially at the level of the people of the two countries. There was also an important dimension concerning the Cyprus issue and the fact that the Russian Federation is a permanent member of the Security Council, but the reality today is clearly different.

“The Republic of Cyprus will in no way escape the unanimous decisions of the European Union, in which I repeat, we also participate,” said the Cypriot president.

Does Cyprus support EU sanctions against Russia?

“Sanctions are a tool that is rightly used by the European Union. Where we may have a problem, is the implementation of sanctions, not just by Member States, but also by all those who are connected in one way or another with the European Union.

When asked to clarify his position on the sanctions, Christodoulides told Euronews, “Of course [I support them]”

The Eastern Mediterranean: An alternative to Russian energy?

As Europe looks to cut its dependence on Russian energy, Euronews asked Nikos Christodoulides what role Cyprus could play in this and if he had seen any increased interest from the European Union towards the Eastern Mediterranean.

“There is interest. There is interest that has been expressed before we took over the governance of the country. We have previously had some interest. I want to say things as they are, and it is this prospect of the famous gas corridor of the Eastern Mediterranean, through a leading role of the European Union and cooperation of the countries in the region.

“Yes, the Eastern Mediterranean can be developed as an alternative energy corridor for the European Union. In fact, according to the estimates of experts that know this matter better than me, the Eastern Mediterranean can cover up to 15% to 16% of the needs of the European Union over the next 25 years.”

“We have found gas and there are ongoing activities by companies located in the Exclusive Economic Zone of the Republic of Cyprus.

“This is an issue that we discussed with the ministerial council, especially with the Minister of Energy about the need, after consultation with companies, to go out in public, to tell the people the truth.

This gas will be used in that exact period of time. Until then, we will proceed to the stage of exploitation, because what worries me, is that in 5-10 years, in the context of the green transition, these reserves may not be in a position to be used.”

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Children of mixed marriages in Cyprus struggle to obtain citizenship

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Cyprus has had a turbulent half century.  

In 1974, the small Mediterranean island was divided into two halves — one Greek, one Turkish — after Turkey invaded the north. Each has its own separate political system, with different citizenship rights. 

The enduring legacy of that occupation is still impacting thousands of people who live cross-border lives. 

Umit, a 44-year-old electronics engineer, runs his own business in the divided Cypriot capital Nicosia, but on the Turkish-administered side of the green line.  

His story began in 1975 when his father came to Northern Cyprus from Turkey and met his mother, who is a Cypriot citizen. Married for a short time, the couple parted ways when Umit was one year old. Despite being born and raised on the island and his mother being a Cypriot citizen, Umit is internationally deemed stateless.

The identity card he obtained from the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) is not recognised by any state other than Turkey.

He applied for citizenship from Cypriot authorities in 2006 but 17 years on, he still doesn’t have an official answer as to why he is unable to obtain it.

“I kept going back and forth to the ministry every 6 months to see what is happening with my application but had no answer,” he says. After concluding that he will never get a response, he brought the case to court. 

The father of two is not willing to give up, especially now his citizenship problems have become a generational issue.

Umit’s two children have also not been able to get Cypriot citizenship, despite their Turkish Cypriot mother holding RoC citizenship.

“They may delay my application because my father is a Turkish citizen, okay, but what about my 11-year-old son and 9-year-old daughter?” Umit asks. 

“Me and my partner, both of us are from the island, we were born here, both of us hold birth certificates from Cypriot authorities and plus I am not even a Turkish citizen.” 

He also adds: “I did try to become a Turkish citizen after losing hope at home, I didn’t have any other choice but according to Turkish official records I don’t exist”.

Umit’s parents were married in the TRNC, but marriages from the north side of the border are not officially recognised by the Republic of Cyprus. 

At the time, the newlyweds didn’t inform authorities in mainland Turkey about their wedding on the island, and according to Turkish records, Umit’s parents never tied the knot, making it even harder to prove his identity. 

“Cyprus” is a delicate and complex issue with a long history of conflicts encompassing Turkey and Greece. 

And this is where Umit’s statelessness has its origins.

Achilles C. Emilianides, a professor of law and dean of the School of Law of the University of Nicosia says the issue doesn’t just pertain to children of mixed marriages in general, but particularly to children of Turkish Cypriots and persons of Turkish origin.

He explains that the problem derives from the complex situation often called the ‘Cyprus Problem’:

“In 1974 Turkey invaded and has since occupied the northern part of the island, and in 1983 it declared the occupied area as ‘Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus’ an entity which is not internationally recognised (other than by Turkey)”.

“The Republic of Cyprus has regularly accused Turkey of trying to change the demographic character of the occupied area through the implantation of settlers from mainland Turkey”, Professor Emilianides explains.

“Given this, the Republic of Cyprus argues that the possible legalisation of the Turkish settlers would not only modify the demographic structure of the island and constitute a constant source of tension, but further threaten the stability and security of the Republic, a view which has been adopted also by the Council of Europe”, he adds. 

According to Prof Emilianides, the government of the Republic of Cyprus does not take decisions easily, as the areas where the marriage is celebrated are not under its control and” it often does not have sufficient data in order to confirm whether this is a case of illegal settlement or not”.

Turkish nationals are able to visit the island through the northern borders controlled by the TRNC and the Republic of Cyprus defines anyone entering the island through these borders as “illegal”.

Does the issue contradict European values?

Activists who help those taking legal action against the Republic of Cyprus argue that every child is entitled to a nationality and the current practices are violating human rights. 

The European Union considers the whole of the island as part of the EU, but activists say then why are European values not respected? 

A few activists, behind an initiative called ‘Uncredentialeds’ are now collecting signatures to file an appeal to the European Parliament Committee on Petitions.

John, (not his real name) is a member of the Uncredentialeds.

“We do not want a favour from the government. We have no political affiliation nor any political interest. We just want to exercise our constitutional right, which clearly states that any child of a Cypriot citizen parent is entitled to Cypriot citizenship”, he says. 

“The majority of these children who pushed to take up Turkish citizenship, have never been to Turkey nor have any connections there. They identify themselves as Cypriots, yet are not recognised officially as such,” he tells Euronews.

It is alleged that the Republic of Cyprus is either deliberately not responding to the applications, or delaying the process in order to not give citizenship to those who have Turkish roots, even if the applicant’s Turkish roots go back two generations. 

Activists claim they have also seen a number of cases where people living in Turkey, but never stepped foot inside the island, easily obtain Cypriot citizenship in order to become EU nationals, due to their ancestral links with Cyprus. 

This, they say, is a double standard.

Euronews approached the Cyprus Interior Ministry for comment and requested the official number of applications for citizenship that are yet to be processed, from 2003 until now, by the children of mixed marriages, but has not yet received any reply.

Many lawsuits have been filed by people who have not received a response to their citizenship application. 

Claimants argue that reaching the documents in the application dossier or getting an update from the officials is impossible. Some even say that they have not been given a reference number.

 John claims the courts are also deliberately not concluding the cases in order to prevent them from taking further actions. 

“To apply to European Courts of Human Rights, exhaustion of domestic remedies is required, when we don’t get an answer internally, we can’t take the cases elsewhere,” he says.

John and his friends in Uncredentialeds will continue their campaign throughout March and are planning to file their petition at the end of the month.

According to unofficial numbers around 30 thousand people have been directly or indirectly affected by the delays in finalising citizenship applications. John believes people are hesitant to give their signatures because of the fear of reactions from either the Republic of Cyprus, or the TRNC.

He says, “people born into mixed marriages didn’t choose their parents, they are not guilty of anything but their fundamental human right to a nationality is violated”. Love knows no identity is their slogan.

Some born into these marriages are now adults in their 30s and 40s and only have two options for obtaining an internationally recognised passport: either from Turkey or the RoC.

Huri is a 33-year-old academic at the Arkin University of Creative Arts and Design.

She tells her story: “My dream was to study in the UK, but I was unable to get a quick response from the authorities regarding my citizenship application I made in Cyprus around 17 years ago. When I got accepted to the university in the UK, I was left with a single option which was to get a Turkish passport to study there. The agency dealing with my paperwork had complications with my student visa application and was I barred from re-applying for a UK visa for 10 years”.

Huri continues. “I was born in Cyprus, raised in Cyprus, my mother is Cypriot and my father lived here for nearly 50 years, I don’t know what else I need to prove my Cypriot identity. I have no connections in Turkey, I am not from Turkey, having a father born in Turkey does not automatically mean I am from Turkey, yet I was forced to take up Turkish citizenship because I had no other choice”.

She would have fulfilled her childhood dream if only she had been able to get Cypriot citizenship which would have also made her an EU national and free to travel and study in the UK at the time (pre-Brexit). 

Any prospect for a solution?

Professor Emilianides highlights that “there has been in recent months a wider public debate on how the issue can be solved, without undermining the international position of the Republic of Cyprus and/or without this being interpreted as the legalisation of settlement”. 

A parliamentary question was put forward by a member of the European Parliament Niyazi Kızılyürek in October 2022 regarding the difficulties faced by stateless Cypriots and the Commission said in its response, “According to the established law of the Court of Justice of the European Union, each member state determines the necessary conditions for the attainment and loss of its citizenship within the framework of international law. However, in cases covered by EU law, member states’ rules on nationality must also comply with EU law”.

Many Turkish Cypriots, like Canan, a 65-year-old British Cypriot, believe ordinary people bear the brunt of political tensions. 

The community in the north has witnessed a rise in population in recent years with many people migrating to the island from Turkey. Some locals worry this may undermine future peace negotiations that are already stalled. 

“The root of the problem is Turkey and Greece and their desire to keep the conflict alive for their political gains.” she says.

“Cypriots on the south side are not happy with Greece and the community in the north are not happy with Turkey, if only they let us alone, we as two communities will live happily ever after as one country. My generation has seen the bloody times, I understand why they can’t find closure because they have lost their loved ones but at the same time, we witnessed how people in the south have protected their Turkish neighbours and northern protected their southern friends”.

“The new generation has left the past behind and wants to get on with their lives,” she adds.

Surveys show that the majority of both communities want a solution to the long-lasting dispute. According to a 2019 report by the World Bank Group, “The bi-zonal, bicommunal federation model is the most acceptable model in the north and second most acceptable among Greek Cypriot community”. 

Other research conducted in 2020 by academics revealed that a wish for a federal Cyprus has been registered by a clear majority of 66.5% among Greek Cypriots and 63.6% among Turkish Cypriots.



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