THE BRITISH government has submitted proposals for the development of non-military land within the British bases for the residents of Akrotiri and Dhekelia. The Cyprus government, 19 months on, has yet to reply.
The paper Politis, citing government sources, said the delay in responding was due to the government’s concern that the proposals could lead to a Gibraltar-type scenario on the island.
The British proposals to review the Sovereign Base Areas’ (SBA) policy on development of non-military land included three recommendations: to establish a formal zoning system; to lift military restrictions on planning and development in the designated zones within the area that was to be handed over to a united Cyprus had the Annan plan been implemented in 2004; and widening the right to development to include EU citizens and eligible third country nationals, as is the case in the Republic of Cyprus.
The British proposal comes in light of the demands of residents living within the SBAs to use the land for commercial purposes. The document acknowledges that the current status of the SBA is unfair and inappropriate for the residents, post-EU accession.
Under Appendix O of the 1960 Treaty of Establishment, the restrictions on land development were imposed to ensure they did not interfere with military use of land.
However, the land in question, which was to be ceded to Cyprus in the event of a solution four years ago, is no longer essential for military purposes, the document states. As such, the British view is to create a body of laws in the SBA closely aligned with those in the Republic of Cyprus, though the SBA will have the last say in all development applications.
According to Politis, the government has yet to discuss this proposal with its authors, out of concern that implementation of the proposals could alter the demographics of the area as well as securing the long-term autonomy of the SBA.
As things now stand, only residents of Dhekelia and Akrotiri have the right to develop land in the SBA, after they have proved their connection to the community there.
By expanding the rights to all EU citizens, the fear is that the SBA will become a new Gibraltar, giving long-term self-rule to the areas under British control.
The British High Commission yesterday confirmed that the SBAs tabled a paper last year with “ideas for discussion with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs” and for which they have yet to receive a reply.
“These ideas were in response to pressure from Cypriot citizens to be allowed to develop their property in a similar way to property owners in the Republic,” said High Commission spokesman Paul Lakin.
Regarding fears of creating a new Gibraltar, Lakin said: “There is no comparison with the situation of Gibraltar. The legal basis is completely different.”
Asked whether the British government intended on returning the offer of handing over SBA land in the event of a solution, Lakin replied: “We have said the SBA will not stand in the way of a solution. We will discuss all issues that need discussing.”
Foreign Ministry Permanent Secretary Nicholas Emiliou told the Cyprus Mail yesterday that the government was still studying the proposals in depth.
“They raise many issues, including the Treaty of Establishment.”
Asked how the study was going after 19 months, he replied: “It involves many government departments, not just the Foreign Ministry. We have to liaise with the district offices of Famagusta and Limassol, the Interior Ministry, the Town Planning Department. It’s a very sensitive issue.
“When we are ready, we will begin discussions with the British High Commission. As I understand it, the proposal is not a take it or leave it one,” he added.
Emiliou rejected reports that the government was concerned about creating a new Gibraltar-type status on the island, saying: “This is not necessarily the position of the government, it’s a question of interpretation of the journalist who wrote that.”
