Britain’s bases in Cyprus make a major contribution to European and regional security, UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy told the Cyprus News Agency (CNA).
The UK’s Foreign Secretary is in Cyprus as part of an official visit, during which he met with President Christodoulides and Foreign Minister Konstantinos Kombos, in Nicosia on July 4.
Role of Bases
In an interview with the CNA, Lammy said that Britain did not participate in recent military operations in the Middle East, stating: “We have been very clear, the UK – including the Sovereign Base Areas – did not participate in military operations during the recent escalation between Iran and Israel.”
“The Sovereign Base Areas make a major contribution to the security and stability of Europe and the wider region,” Lammy added, defending the bases’ presence on the island.
The Foreign Secretary said that Britain would “continue to work with the Republic of Cyprus, a trusted and valuable partner, to ensure the SBAs support joint UK-Cyprus challenges, including civil defence cooperation.”
On security threats, Lammy confirmed ongoing coordination with Cypriot authorities following the arrest of a British man suspected of conducting surveillance for Iran at RAF Akrotiri. “We remain in contact with the authorities in Cyprus regarding the arrest of a British man,” he said, without providing additional details about the case.
Educational links after Brexit
Despite Brexit’s impact on educational exchanges, over 4,000 Cypriots studied in the UK during 2023/24, Lammy noted. The UK has committed to working with the European Commission on a youth experience scheme and potential UK association with Erasmus+, he said.
“The UK and Cyprus have a long history of close educational links, and we are proud that in 2023/24, over four thousand Cypriots chose to study in the UK,” Lammy said. “We will continue to work with Cyprus to support these links.”
The Foreign Secretary indicated that after signing the Strategic Partnership with the EU, Britain committed to work with the European Commission on “a mutually beneficial and balanced youth experience scheme” that would “hugely benefit young people from the European Union and the United Kingdom in being able to work and travel.”
“We hope to continue these discussions in the not-too-distant future,” Lammy said regarding the educational cooperation initiatives.
EU relations reset
The Foreign Secretary noted the “reset” in UK-EU relations since the Labour government took power, highlighted by the first UK-EU Summit in May where leaders signed a Strategic Partnership agreement.
“Since taking power last year, we have reset our relationship with the EU, and that has not gone unnoticed by our friends across Europe,” Lammy said. The May summit saw Prime Minister Keir Starmer welcome European Council President Antonio Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to the UK.
“This partnership agreement is a clear commitment of cooperation from both sides,” Lammy stated.
Cyprus’ upcoming EU Council Presidency “will come at an important time,” with Britain looking forward to working with Cyprus to strengthen UK-EU ties, Lammy said.
Cyprus problem
As a guarantor power and UN Security Council penholder on Cyprus matters, Britain “unwaveringly supports the UN-led process for an agreed settlement,” Lammy stated ahead of an informal multilateral conference in New York.
The UK is “actively engaging all parties to encourage the flexibility needed to return to talks” and will participate in the next informal 5+1 meeting in New York, he said.
“As a guarantor power, the penholder on Cyprus matters at the UN Security Council and a friend to all parties, the UK unwaveringly supports the UN-led process for an agreed settlement,” Lammy noted.
Gaza
On Gaza, Lammy reiterated Britain’s position calling for “an immediate ceasefire, the release of all hostages cruelly detained by Hamas, better protection of civilians, significantly more aid consistently entering Gaza, and a path to long-term peace and stability.”
He added that “a political process to deliver a two-state solution” remains “the only way to secure peace and security for both Palestinians and Israelis.”
“Our message has not changed,” Lammy stated.
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