A dispute reminiscent of Cold War divisions has erupted in Cyprus, with the left-wing AKEL party’s anti-American protest outside the Cyprus Center for Land, Open-seas, and Port Security (CYCLOPS) in Larnaca drawing sharp criticism from the centre-right Democratic Rally (DISY).
DISY MP Harris Georgiades called AKEL’s protest “undermining to national interests”, arguing that the party remains “trapped in Cold War obsessions against the West” despite its modernist facade.
He emphasised that such approaches do not help counter Turkish aggression or support reunification efforts.
The presence of Larnaca Mayor Andreas Vyras at the protest raised eyebrows in political and diplomatic circles, given planned US-Cyprus cooperation projects in the city, including developments at Larnaca port.
AKEL responded, accusing both the Christodoulides government and DISY of promoting “subservience and militarisation”.
The party argued that granting a military base to the US would attract new security threats rather than upgrade Cyprus’s geopolitical position.
Meanwhile, the Green Party has requested a National Council meeting following reports about President Christodoulides’s White House visit and discussions about potential NATO alignment.
Government spokesman Konstantinos Letymbiotis confirmed that defence cooperation was discussed during the Biden meeting, stating Cyprus aims to harmonise its defence planning with NATO standards in areas including protocols, personnel training, and armament programmes.
He noted that NATO membership discussions would need to consider political aspects, including Turkey’s known position.
