After the end of the current crisis in the Middle East, we must openly discuss the issue of British bases in Cyprus with the government in London, Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides said today at a meeting with journalists in Brussels, BTA reported.
The presence of British bases is a remnant of colonialism, he commented. With the current government in London, we have the best cooperation since the declaration of independence of Cyprus in 1960, the president added.
According to him, the key to resolving the issue of the division of the island is in the hands of Turkey. He announced that he is considering inviting Turkish President Recep Erdogan to the meeting of leaders of EU and Mediterranean countries scheduled for April. The Cypriot president specified that he had asked his colleagues in the European Council, who are on good terms with Ankara, to check the mood for such a possibility in advance. I do not want to send an invitation that would be rejected, so far the responses (from Ankara) have not been positive, Christodoulides said.
He stressed that despite the incident with the Iranian drone strike on a British base in Cyprus, the island remains a calm and safe place, and the conditions for tourism have not changed. Cypriots will never forget the sympathy of Greece, France, Italy, Spain and the Netherlands, who responded immediately to my request for assistance after the attack, the president added.
According to him, Ukraine is the most important issue for the EU today, and the crisis in the Middle East creates an opportunity to achieve European independence. Crises should not change our direction, it should be determined by us and it is clear - an independent EU, open to the world, Christodoulides summarized.