Newsroom / CNA
According to the CNA, former Attorney General of the Republic, Costas Clerides, has submitted a proposal to the President of the Republic, Nicos Christodoulides, urging the initiation of a dialogue with the United Kingdom concerning the British military Bases in Cyprus. The aim of this dialogue is not the complete removal of the Bases but the modernization of their legal framework.
In a letter dated November 19, 2024, Mr. Clerides recommends that the discussions focus on limiting the Bases to the minimum territory necessary, establishing a definitive timeline for their presence, and ensuring appropriate financial compensations.
Mr. Clerides draws attention to a recent precedent involving Mauritius, where the UK agreed to transfer sovereignty over the Chagos Islands, except for a small area retained as a military base for 99 years under mutually agreed financial terms. This development followed a pivotal advisory opinion by the International Court of Justice (ICJ), which determined that the UK's continued control of former colonial territories after granting independence violated international decolonization obligations and the principle of self-determination. Despite initial resistance from the UK, persistent efforts by Mauritius, supported by ICJ findings and a UN General Assembly resolution, ultimately led to a successful resolution.
This case, Mr. Clerides suggests, highlights the possibility of achieving a similar outcome through structured negotiations and adherence to international law. His letter was also shared with leaders of all parliamentary parties, signaling the importance of unified national engagement on this issue.
