The UK’s involvement in Cyprus dates back to the island’s colonial period, when it became a British protectorate in 1878. Today, the UK retains two military bases in Cyprus, which are sovereign British territory.
See below for more information
The UK’s involvement in Cyprus dates back to the island’s colonial period, when it became a British protectorate in 1878. After gaining independence in 1960, Cyprus was granted a sovereign base area at Akrotiri, which is still operated by the UK military today. In addition to the Akrotiri base, the UK also maintains a military presence at Dhekelia, which is located on the eastern side of the island. These bases are considered to be British sovereign territory and are used for training and military operations.
According to a report by The Guardian in 2021, the UK’s bases in Cyprus “provide key infrastructure for NATO and cover a strategically important region of the Mediterranean.” The report also cited the UK’s involvement in counter-terrorism operations in the region, as well as its role in providing support to the UN peacekeeping force stationed in Cyprus.
Famous British novelist Lawrence Durrell, who lived in Cyprus for a time, once described the island as “a kind of English society, with a faint flavor of the East.”
Interesting facts about the UK involvement in Cyprus include:
-
The UK bases in Cyprus are used by the British military for training exercises and intelligence gathering, as well as for air patrols over the eastern Mediterranean.
-
The bases also provide logistical support for UK naval vessels patrolling the region and have been used for operations in the Persian Gulf and Afghanistan.
-
The UK played a key role in the establishment of the UN peacekeeping force in Cyprus, which has been stationed there since 1964.
-
While Cyprus is no longer a British colony, English remains widely spoken on the island and the country has maintained close ties with the UK over the years.
-
The UK’s continued military presence in Cyprus has been a source of controversy, with some Cypriot activists calling for the bases to be closed and the land returned to the country’s control.
Table:
| Base | Location | Size (sq km) |
|---|---|---|
| RAF Akrotiri | Akrotiri | 3.5 |
| Acrotiri SBA | Akrotiri | 123 |
| Episkopi SBA | Limassol | 14.5 |
| Dhekelia SBA | Larnaca | 128 |
Note: SBA stands for Sovereign Base Area.
A visual response to the word “What is the UK involvement in Cyprus?”
Cyprus became divided after tensions rose between the Greek and Turkish populations following the country’s independence from Britain, leading to a Greek-backed coup in 1974. Turkey intervened unilaterally to protect the Turkish minority, which embarrassed the military government in Greece and led to international condemnation when Turkey continued to push further across the island. The Turkish Cypriot administration was created, and many people were forced out of their homes and cleared from the north. In 1983, the Turkish Cypriot government declared independence, which was only supported by Turkey, Pakistan, and Bangladesh. Despite international condemnation, the island remains divided today.
There are alternative points of view
Cyprus gained its independence from the United Kingdom in 1960, after 82 years of British control. The two countries now enjoy warm relations; however, the continuing British sovereignty of the Akrotiri and Dhekelia Sovereign Base Areas has continued to divide Cypriots.
Cyprus was under British dominion from 1878 to 1960. It was administered sequentially as a British protectorate, a unilaterally annexed military occupation, and a Crown colony. Britain promised to use Cyprus as a base to protect the Ottoman Empire from Russia, according to the secret Cyprus Convention agreement. Cyprus gained its independence from the United Kingdom in 1960, after 82 years of British control. In the early 1950s, a Greek-Cypriot revolt in favour of union with mainland Greece began in British-controlled Cyprus. British troops remain on the island to this day as part of a United Nations peacekeeping force.
British Cyprus was the island of Cyprus under the dominion of the British Empire, administered sequentially from 1878 to 1914 as a British protectorate, a unilaterally annexed military occupation from 1914 to 1925 and from 1925 to 1960 as a Crown colony.Following the London and Zurich Agreements of 19 February 1959 Cyprus became an independent republic on 16 August 1960.
Britain promised to use Cyprus as a base to protect the Ottoman Empire from Russia, according to the secret Cyprus Convention agreement. … On 5 November 1914 Britain annexed Cyprus, bringing an end to the convention. Cyprus gained its independence from the United Kingdom in 1960, after 82 years of British control.
In the early 1950s a Greek-Cypriot revolt in favour of union with mainland Greece began in British-controlled Cyprus. The insurrection failed to achieve that, but Cyprus was eventually declared an independent republic. British troops remain on the island to this day as part of a United Nations peacekeeping force.
I am sure you will be interested in these topics
Also question is, What is the UK’s role in Cyprus? British Cyprus was the island of Cyprus under the dominion of the British Empire, administrated sequentially from 1878 to 1914 as a British protectorate, from 1914 to 1925 as a unilaterally annexed military occupation, and from 1925 to 1960 as a Crown colony.
Similar
In this manner, Why did the British get involved in Cyprus? Response: In 1878, as a result of the Cyprus Convention, the United Kingdom received as a protectorate the island of Cyprus from the Ottoman Empire in exchange for United Kingdom’s military support to the Ottoman Empire should Russia attempt to take possession of territories of the Ottomans in Asia.
Also question is, What is the relationship between UK and Cyprus?
Cyprus has a strong bilateral relationship with the UK, reflecting the two countries’ long historical ties, which date back to the 19th century. Today, the two countries maintain close links in the political, economic and cultural fields.
In respect to this, Is Cyprus still under British rule?
The reply will be: Cyprus gained its independence from the United Kingdom in 1960, after 82 years of British control. The two countries now enjoy warm relations; however, the continuing British sovereignty of the Akrotiri and Dhekelia Sovereign Base Areas has continued to divide Cypriots.
Moreover, Is there a link between British soldiers and UN forces in Cyprus?
There is no operational link between British soldiers serving in the SBAs and the British contingent of the United Nations Force in Cyprus. These soldiers serve on Operation TOSCA, an unaccompanied six month UN tour of duty and are responsible for maintaining the integrity of the Buffer Zone that runs between the Greek and Turkish Cypriots.
Why are British bases in Cyprus important? As a response to this: Covering not even 100 square miles the two bases on Cyprus are vital to the British military capabilities in the Mediterranean, Middle East and beyond East of Suez. The British presence in the island of Cyprus goes back to the late nineteenth-century when the small island was leased to the UK by the former Ottoman Empire in the year of 1878.
What can the British Council do for Cyprus? The answer is: What’s more, the British Council are helping grow Trans-National Education partnerships with Cypriot institutions, allowing the benefits of a UK education and qualification to be achieved right here in Cyprus. We have an impressive record of UK-Cyprus science and research collaboration, and strong links between scientists in both countries.
People also ask, Who are the British immigrant groups in Cyprus?
The British are the main immigrant Western European group in Cyprus, which is also home to the largest British community in the Middle East by far. ^ "Ben Rawlings". Gov.uk. Retrieved 2 October 2022. ^ "Foreign embassies in the UK". GOV.UK. Retrieved 2020-07-20.
Additionally, Is there a link between British soldiers and UN forces in Cyprus? The answer is: There is no operational link between British soldiers serving in the SBAs and the British contingent of the United Nations Force in Cyprus. These soldiers serve on Operation TOSCA, an unaccompanied six month UN tour of duty and are responsible for maintaining the integrity of the Buffer Zone that runs between the Greek and Turkish Cypriots.
Then, How many British people live in Cyprus?
Response to this: There are at least 50,000 British who reside in Cyprus, with most having their property in Paphos district. Current relations between Cyprus and the United Kingdom are considered excellent with high levels of cooperation on energy, diplomacy and education.
Keeping this in view, What can the British Council do for Cyprus?
As an answer to this: What’s more, the British Council are helping grow Trans-National Education partnerships with Cypriot institutions, allowing the benefits of a UK education and qualification to be achieved right here in Cyprus. We have an impressive record of UK-Cyprus science and research collaboration, and strong links between scientists in both countries.
Also, Why are British bases in Cyprus important?
Response: Covering not even 100 square miles the two bases on Cyprus are vital to the British military capabilities in the Mediterranean, Middle East and beyond East of Suez. The British presence in the island of Cyprus goes back to the late nineteenth-century when the small island was leased to the UK by the former Ottoman Empire in the year of 1878.