Cyprus wants to talk with the United Kingdom about two British military bases on the island. Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides called the bases an old "colonial remnant." The European Union (EU) said it is ready to help with these discussions.
President Christodoulides spoke at a meeting in Brussels. He wants a "frank and open discussion" with London. He said more than 10,000 Cypriot citizens live near the bases. His view that the bases are a "colonial consequence" seems to be supported by the EU. Therefore, the EU will help Cyprus in the talks.
A recent drone attack on RAF Akrotiri has made the discussion more serious. The attack used weapons from Iran. This raised security worries in the area. It also made Cyprus want to look at the bases again. However, the UK government strongly disagrees.
The UK Ministry of Defence says the bases are very important for security. Defence Secretary John Healey said the future of the bases is "not in question." He believes they are essential for regional and European safety.
Stephen Doughty, a UK minister, visited RAF Akrotiri. He wanted to give support to the people there. He said the bases are "crucial for wider security." He is "confident that they will remain." This is different from what Cypriot politicians think. Even some Turkish Cypriot opposition groups want to talk about it.
The EU offering to help makes this a bigger issue. The UK believes it has rights over the bases. Cyprus, as an EU member, wants to use the EU's influence. The UK sees the bases as important for defence. Cyprus focuses on its own control and the past. The drone attack showed there are security risks. These talks will likely be difficult.