Britain has no plans, either now or in the future, to abandon its military bases in Cyprus, Commander of the British Forces Cyprus and Sovereign Base Areas (SBA) Administrator Air Vice Marshal G E Stacey has said, adding at the same time that London would renew its offer to relinquish sovereignty over parts of the Bases, as part of an overall political settlement of the question of Cyprus.

In an interview with CNA, the Commander also said that the people of Cyprus are to benefit from any finds of minerals in the SBA and referred any possible amendment to the 1960 Treaty of Guarantee to the contracting parties.

He noted the good relations the British Bases (BB) enjoy both with the authorities of the Republic of Cyprus and the local communities, saying the SBA authorities are trying very hard to improve them.

Asked if Britain has any plans, immediate or future, of abandoning the SBA, the Commander replied in one word “no”, saying that the SBAs continue to be a crucial part of the UK’s military infrastructure and operations.

On the role of the Bases over the years and given that London no longer has the strategically placed sites abroad it used to have, he said there has been very little change in the role the Bases play and added, “although the number of personnel is smaller than in the past, the Bases maintain a very important operational focus.”