Rafaela Dimitriadi
The Parliamentary Environment Committee saw heated discussion over plans to install new antennas in the Akrotiri area. Residents and other attendees voiced strong concerns about the potential effects on human health and the environment. MPs also took a strong stance on the British Bases, with some even raising the possibility of their removal.
“It will be the destruction of our community”
Giorgos Konstantinou, deputy mayor of Kourion Municipality, gave an emotional statement, saying residents have fought for years to remain in the area. “Since I was born until today, we have been fighting.”
He also said Akrotiri is surrounded by antennas and argued that installing more would put local residents at risk. He also alleged that there had been an attempt to requisition 450,000 square meters of community land in Merra, located just a few meters from the sea. “In short, to the north we will have a forest of antennas almost all the way to the sea, while to the south are the remaining facilities. We are in the middle, trapped. We are a target for any action.”
Referring to the drone crash at the Bases in Akrotiri, he said residents went through various experiences during that period, stressing that they do not want to leave their homes. He called on the Government and Parliament to help prevent the expansion of the antennas. “Because it will be the destruction of our community. People are afraid.” According to him, dozens of birds are killed by the antennas.
He also said that on August 3, 2026, the Bases issued a requisition order to take possession of the area, prompting a reaction from residents. “In the end, they informed us in writing that they would not proceed with any expansion until environmental and epidemiological studies had been carried out.”
The Cyprus Environmental Protection Foundation reminded the committee that the Akrotiri Peninsula is one of the most important areas for nature and biodiversity protection in Cyprus.
Meetings between the Foreign Ministry and the High Commission
The Director General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Theodora Konstantinidou, said the problems faced by residents are a top priority for the Foreign Ministry.
According to Konstantinidou, Foreign Minister Konstantinos Kombos had raised issues concerning the Bases with the United Kingdom’s Minister for European Affairs. “It is clear that the Government attaches the highest importance to this issue, which is why the Foreign Minister has held repeated meetings with the local leaders of the communities.”
Konstantinidou said all the issues had been recorded and that a meeting had been requested with representatives of the High Commission. “The Foreign Ministry remains in constant contact with the Bases and the High Commission on matters concerning the protection of health,” she said.
Environment Department takes issue with comments
Tension arose during comments by Marios Kaisis, coordinator of the Akrotiri Hora Miden movement, when he said, “We hear about sovereign British Bases, but we do not accept that. Our position is that they are disputed.” At that point, AKEL MP Marina Nikolaou intervened, pointing out that no one in the room had said anything about recognizing the sovereignty of the Bases. “In fact, everyone’s position from the beginning was that we do not recognize their sovereignty over the territory of the Republic of Cyprus.”
Kaisis also referred to environmental studies carried out by government departments, suggesting that there were questionable circumstances surrounding them. He called for the studies to be conducted by independent European experts. A representative of the Environment Department intervened at that point, saying the comments amounted to insinuations against the department. He also asked whether Kaisis was suggesting that the department would not act in the interests of the Republic.
