Newsroom
Cyprus is gearing up for significant upgrades to its key military bases, with U.S. specialists set to visit in January to provide recommendations for the enhancement of the Andreas Papandreou air base in Paphos. President Nikos Christodoulides shared the details in a recent interview with Phileleftheros, outlining the government's €14.7 million plan to improve both the air base and the Mari naval base. The project, expected to be completed within 18 months, aims to strengthen Cyprus' strategic capabilities while maintaining full Cypriot control over the facilities.
The upgrades come with active discussions involving both American and European partners. President Christodoulides confirmed ongoing talks with the U.S., noting their interest in using the Andreas Papandreou base for humanitarian missions. The U.S. contribution may come in the form of technical assistance, financial backing, or both.
For the Mari naval base, consultations are underway with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, with potential financial support from the EU.
The President emphasized that both bases will remain under Cypriot jurisdiction, dispelling any speculation about ceding control to foreign entities. "There is no question of giving a base to anyone else," he stated firmly.
Cyprus’ collaboration with the U.S. extends beyond the upgrades. President Christodoulides hinted at upcoming announcements on Cyprus-U.S. military cooperation, signaling a deepening partnership. While NATO membership for Cyprus isn’t feasible at present, the President highlighted efforts to align with NATO standards through training, knowledge exchange, and structural reorganization. These steps aim to position Cyprus for future membership if conditions allow.
Turning to the Cyprus issue, President Christodoulides described the potential for another stalemate as "very negative." He revealed plans for a UN visit in January, possibly by Deputy Secretary-General Rosemary Di Carlo, to prepare the groundwork for renewed negotiations.
In a significant development, European Commission President von der Leyen has decided to oversee Cyprus-related talks directly from her office. Discussions are also underway for the appointment of an EU envoy, with specific names already on the table.
The President reiterated his readiness to meet Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar and urged tangible progress from Turkey. While he acknowledged public signals of willingness from Ankara, he stressed the importance of translating these into actionable steps.
President Christodoulides also touched on Cyprus’ broader diplomatic role, referencing a joint proposal with Greece and Austria to outline a roadmap for post-conflict Syria.
As Cyprus pursues military upgrades and strengthens its international partnerships, President Christodoulides expressed cautious optimism about the road ahead. Whether these efforts will translate into meaningful progress on the Cyprus issue remains to be seen.
With information from CNA
