Cyprus has opened formal discussions with United Kingdom over the future of British military bases on the island, President Nikos Christodoulides confirmed on Wednesday, signaling a potential

shift in a decades-old security arrangement.

The move follows a recent drone strike near RAF Akrotiri earlier this month, an incident that heightened fears among Cypriot officials that the presence of British military infrastructure could entangle the country in broader regional tensions, particularly those linked to the ongoing Iran conflict.

For years, political leaders and legal experts in Cyprus have expressed unease over the two British-controlled bases, which remain among London’s most strategically significant military outposts outside the UK. These installations have played a central role in operations across the Middle East for decades, reinforcing Britain’s regional military reach.

Tensions escalated after the March 2 drone strike, which angered Cypriot authorities. Officials criticized Britain for failing to clearly communicate whether the bases would be used in offensive operations and for not issuing timely warnings to more than 1,000 residents living near the targeted site.

“We have a clear plan on how to proceed step by step on all issues related to the British bases in Cyprus,” Christodoulides told reporters, without disclosing specific details. He added that the British government had already been informed of Nicosia’s intentions.

According to reports, Cyprus is seeking updated security arrangements tied to the 1960 treaty that granted the island independence while allowing Britain to retain control over designated military zones, known as Sovereign Base Areas (SBAs). However, the UK maintains that the legal status of these bases is not open to renegotiation.

Past adjustments to the framework suggest some flexibility. In 2014, both countries reached an agreement to ease development restrictions on privately owned land within the SBAs, which together account for just under 3% of Cyprus’ total territory.

Christodoulides indicated that the current initiative could go further than previous talks. “In the past there have been negotiations — not to the extent that we want to start with the British side now — and the British side did respond,” he said, hinting at broader ambitions for redefining the terms of the long-standing arrangement. Photo baby Cpl Neil Bryden RAF, Wikimedia commons.