A spokesperson for the UK Ministry of Defence said on Wednesday that reviewing British Sovereign Bases in Cyprus does not include “pulling out of the bases”.

“Strategically, the bases in Cyprus are very important for Great Britain”, the spokesperson has told CNA.

She added that the matters which will be discussed as part of the review will concentrate on “what we have there, how do we use what we have, can we have a better use of what we have and at a lower cost, is there a need for change and if there is such a need, what changes should be made and how should we go about them”.

She also noted that this new review is the result of a previous one which covered all areas of the Ministry of Defence. “It was pointed out that the Cyprus Bases review required an independent participation. That’s why the Prime Minister David Cameron and the Foreign Secretary William Hague will take part” the spokesperson said.