In the event of a ‘no deal’ Brexit, the UK Government aims to reach an agreement with the Republic of Cyprus and the EU which will secure the operation of the British bases in Akrotiri and Dhekelia and will allow Cypriot citizens who live and work there to carry on doing so, without any problems, a 10 Downing Street spokesperson has said.
The smooth continuation of the bases’ operation and of the daily lives of people living and working in those areas has been set out in a protocol that forms part of the UK’s Withdrawal Agreement with the EU.
Exiting the EU without a deal, however, as Prime Minister May and EU leaders say is possible, would mean that the Withdrawal Agreement would not be applied – and the same goes for the protocols that accompany it (on Northern Ireland, Gibraltar and the bases in Cyprus).
In response to a Cyprus News Agency question, the 10 Downing Street spokesperson said: “In the negotiations for Withdrawal, we were pleased that we were able to work constructively with the EU and Cyprus to reach agreement on how the unique arrangements that apply in the Sovereign Base Areas would operate after the UK’s withdrawal from the EU.
“Whether there is a deal or not, the Government has been clear that we stand ready to work with the Republic of Cyprus to minimise any disruption to people, businesses and the effectiveness of the military bases.”
A diplomatic source in London said the assumption has been that the British Bases issue will be rather easier to resolve in a ‘no deal’ scenario that the rest of the arrangements that will be required.
(Cyprus News Agency)
