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President Anastasiades points to growth prospects in Bases as Cyprus-UK arrangement is implemented

LoveCyprus — Wed, 10 Jun 2020 05:34:02 +0000

President of Cyprus Nicos Anastasiades spoke on Tuesday of a “historic day” for residents and property owners in the British Bases, while announcing the next important stage in the implementation of a bilateral arrangement, reached in 2014 between the Republic of Cyprus and the United Kingdom, on the regulation of non-military development in the British Bases.

Speaking at the Presidential Palace, in the presence of British High Commissioner Stephen Lillie, the President said that the agreement opens up significant prospects for economic growth. At the same time, the arrangement is another tangible proof of the excellent relations between the Republic of Cyprus and the UK, he underlined.

The two sides also issued a joint statement, noting among others, that implementing the arrangement represents “a significant step forward in strengthening and deepening even further our cooperation and bilateral engagement.”

“After 60 years of negotiations and as a result of the resoluteness of the governments of both countries, the agreement that was reached on January 15, 2014, between the then Prime Minister David Cameron and myself is being implemented today” the President said in his address.

The agreement significantly revises the status of properties, by fully restoring the rights of residents and property owners, he went on.

He also said that a significant portion of the territory within the British Bases is now open for development purposes as planning zones are introduced. “1,800 hectares of land, about 860 in the area of Akrotiri and another 930 in the area of Dhekelia are now part of development zones” the President added.

The arrangement provides that residents and property owners in the British Bases will have equal rights with the rest of the citizens of the Republic of Cyprus, as the same rules apply in relation to buying and developing properties by Cypriots, European citizens and citizens of Third Countries, he added.

In addition to residential, tourist, commercial and industrial development, the agreement also allows for large-scale developments, such as schools, higher education institutes, theme parks and sports and recreation centers, clinics and hospitals, said President Anastasiades.

It is also possible to license other smaller developments, under certain conditions, such as gas stations, restaurants, and other types of development, he added.

President Anastasiades admitted that the procedure to implement the agreement has been relatively time-consuming, he pointed however to its complex nature, noting that there were several particular issues the two sides needed to tackle effectively.

He stressed, moreover, the positive economic impact of the agreement, not just for those residing in the British Bases, and said that the agreement is the biggest change in land use and development within the Bases since the establishment of the Republic of Cyprus.

With hard work and constructive cooperation between the Republic of Cyprus and the United Kingdom it was possible to overcome any obstacles, through mutually beneficial solutions, having as our prime concern the prosperity and the prospects opening up for residents and property owners in the British Bases, the President said.

Among others, the President said that the agreement demonstrates “the exceptional level of bilateral relations between the Republic of Cyprus and the United Kingdom, which are based on strong historical ties, both on the intergovernmental level, as well as between the two peoples.”

President Anastasiades finally reiterated the determination of the Republic of Cyprus to continue cooperating closely with the United Kingdom after Brexit.

British High Commissioner Stephen Lillie referred to the benefits arising from the arrangement for 12,000 Cypriots living in the Bases.

“These discussions have been complex, but they show the commitment of both our countries to developing our bilateral ties, and finding new areas of co-operation” said Lillie.

“This agreement means that, as far as possible, residents in the Bases will now enjoy the same rights as Cypriots living in the Republic to sell and develop their land” he added.

“This will bring very obvious benefits to the 12,000 Cypriots who live in the Bases.  At a time when coronavirus is generating fear and uncertainty about the livelihoods of communities the world over, I take pride in the fact that we have worked together to deliver a change that will have a real and positive impact on people’s prosperity” the British High Commissioner concluded.

From his part, Major General Rob Thomson, Commander British Forces Cyprus and Administrator of the Bases, said that it is really good news that we will soon be able to allow more development opportunities to the many Cypriots who live within the Bases, while safe-guarding the UK’s operational work here, work that makes such an important contribution to Western Security. “This bilateral agreement on Non-Military Development underlines the closeness of the UK-Cyprus partnership” he said.

According to the Joint UK-Cyprus statement, the UK Government and the Government of the Republic of Cyprus have announced the next important stage in the implementation of the bilateral arrangement reached in 2014 on the regulation of non-military development in the Sovereign Base Areas.

The Department of the Environment of the Republic of Cyprus and the Administration of the British Bases will publish on Wednesday the draft policy statement, zoning arrangements, and the Strategic Environmental Impact Assessment (SEIA) report relating to the arrangement, it is added.

According to the statement, the publication of the SEIA report will commence a 35-day public consultation phase, which is the essential first step towards allowing, in accordance with the provisions of the final Policy Statement and the zoning arrangements, residential and commercial land development in the Bases on the same basis as in the Republic.

“The implementation of the Arrangement reflects the excellent level of the bilateral relations between our two countries and governments.  In the 60th year of diplomatic relations between the UK and the Republic of Cyprus, it represents a significant step forward in strengthening and deepening even further our cooperation and bilateral engagement which is based on common values, principles and ideals, as well as the strong bonds of friendship and historical ties that exist between our two countries and peoples” it is added.

It also shows our collective commitment to securing and promoting the prosperity of the residents and communities living in the Base Areas, while ensuring that the Bases will continue to function in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Treaty of Establishment, the Joint statement concludes.

It should be noted that the Non-Military Development Arrangement was signed by former Foreign Ministers Ioannis Kasoulides and William Hague in 2014, and reconfirmed in a written statement agreed between President Anastasiades and former British Prime Minister David Cameron the same year. Since then, negotiations have been ongoing on the details of how the arrangement would be implemented. This phase has now been concluded.

The non-military development agreement affects three municipalities (Ipsonas, Kato Polemidia and Dherynia) and 16 communities (Asomatos, Trachoni, Kolossi, Erimi, Sotira, Paramali, Avdimou, Akrotiri, Frenaros, Avgorou, Afheritos, Pyla, Ormidhia, Xylotympou, Xylofagou and Achna) in the districts of Limassol, Larnaca and Famagusta.

Source: CNA

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We go hand in hand with the Republic of Cyprus in the fight against COVID-19 spread, SBA Administrator tells CNA

LoveCyprus — Fri, 27 Mar 2020 08:39:41 +0000

The British Bases in Cyprus go hand in hand with the Republic of Cyprus in the fight against the spread of COVID-19, SBA Administrator, Major General Rob Thomson, has told the Cyprus News Agency (CNA), noting that the Bases have been implementing the exact same measures as the ones adopted by the Republic of Cyprus.

He also thanked all of the nearly 1000 Cypriots who work for the Bases for their ‘incredible’ work and noted that any personnel who have to remain at home to look after their children or because they belong to the vulnerable groups and can’t work, will still get their full pay, and will be able to return to their work when this coronavirus crisis finishes.

The new movement restriction measures that were put into force on Tuesday apply for all military and civilian staff, family members and the people who live in the Bases, the SBA Administrator noted. “The measures need to be in step with the Republic of Cyprus so that we provide the best possible protection to the people of this island. We need to do this together. That is really important,” the Major General stressed.

Moreover, he noted that the British Bases are in constant contact with the Republic of Cyprus, the Foreign Ministry and the Health Ministry, updating each other on developments related to the COVID-19 issue. We exchange information, we are transparent in what we are doing, he added.

Currently there are three confirmed COVID-19 cases in the Bases: two military people, members of the Royal Air Force and one family member. Two cases were confirmed on the 15th of March. One case was confirmed on the 19th of March, the SBA Administrator said, adding that so far there were 146 also negative tests, while the results of 129 tests are still pending. The tests are carried out by the Cyprus Neurology and Genetics Institute and this is something for which we are grateful, he noted.

Major General Thomson said that the three people in the Bases who tested positive to the virus remain in isolation, have mild symptoms and are given the right medical advice.

Asked about the crossing points in the SBA areas, he noted that Strovilia and Pergamos crossing points “are effectively closed, as we have put the same measures in place with the Republic of Cyprus.”

Furthermore, he said that people coming back from the UK to the Bases go into 14 days of isolation, adding that “we have reduced the number of people coming to the island so only people who are operationally essential come”.

He also noted that he met with local mayors of communities within the SBA, taking the necessary precautionary measures, and briefed them upon the measures taken.

Thomson said that many of the Bases staff members are now working remotely. There are some people who can’t work remotely but we are reducing to a minimum the number of people in the units to make sure that we protect ourselves, he added.

Asked about the medical supplies at the Bases he said that at the moment the situation is good, and when necessary they can bring in supplies from the UK.

Source: CNA

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British Bases say they align with measures introduced by Nicosia to combat COVID-19

LoveCyprus — Wed, 18 Mar 2020 06:33:54 +0000

The British Bases say they have aligned with the measures introduced by the Republic of Cyprus to counter the spread of coronavirus, with the Administrator of the Bases, Major General Rob Thomson, noting that the two sides are “in step.”

According to a relevant announcement, Major General Thomson met with Republic of Cyprus Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Health officials on Tuesday morning and had productive discussions relating to the Coronavirus outbreak.

“We shared our perspectives on the threat presented by coronavirus and how we are responding. We agreed that we are ‘in step’” he said.

Major General Thomson also noted that they discussed the measures that are being imposed on the bases and in the Republic of Cyprus, in order to best protect the residents.

“We are keeping all measures under constant review. We have committed to continuous dialogue, cooperation and coordination to ensure coherence of effort and consistency of approach in dealing with this situation” he concluded.

An spokesperson for the British Bases said that they are working closely with the Republic of Cyprus to combat the coronavirus outbreak and to protect the community.

“The safety of our people is our top priority. We have aligned with the measures introduced by the Republic including on social distancing and prohibiting public gatherings, the closure of shops, gyms, cinemas and restaurants; cancelling all non-operational activity and exercises, visits and sporting events” the spokesperson said.

It was also noted that all MOD schools in Cyprus will also now close at the end of the school day on Wednesday, 18th March, until Monday 20th April at the end of the Easter School holidays.

“We have also banned all but the most essential operational and family travel into RAF Akrotiri. All arrivals are medically screened on arrival and undergo a compulsory 14 day isolation period. All of our people displaying symptoms are being tested. Our aim is to look after our people, whether in uniform or not” the Spokesperson concluded.

Source:CNA

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