It is indeed a great pleasure to welcome you to today's event to inform you about the implementation from 16 May 2022 of the Agreement on the development of civilian areas within the British Bases.
A truly historic Agreement for the Republic of Cyprus and the residents and owners of land and property within the boundaries of the Bases, but also a tangible demonstration of the excellent Cyprus-UK relationship.
An agreement reached on 15 January 2014 between Prime Minister David Cameron and the Viceroy and signed by Foreign Ministers William Haik and Giannakis Kasoulides.
First: For the first time since the establishment of the Republic of Cyprus and the relevant 1960 Treaties, and despite efforts from time to time by previous Governments, a definitive and holistic arrangement for the development of land and property within the boundaries of the British Bases has been achieved.
Second: It represents, also for the first time since the establishment of the Republic of Cyprus, the largest change of land use, as 80% of the territory of the British Bases, covering some 200 square kilometres out of a total of 255, is being changed in status and incorporated into planning zones, for the benefit of 4 municipalities and 23 communities falling either partially or wholly within the areas of the Bases.
In this context, 6,150 hectares will be available for residential, tourist, commercial, livestock and agricultural development, while the remaining area will be included in protection or light development zones.
Thirdly: A long-standing and fully justified demand of the affected landowners for the utilisation and exploitation of their properties in an equal and proportionate manner compared to property owners in the areas controlled by the Republic of Cyprus is met, thus removing the 62 years of distortions and imbalances they have experienced to date.
From now on, property owners in the areas of the Bases will follow the procedure in force in the Republic of Cyprus with regard to both planning and building permits and the right of free disposal by property owners to Cypriots, European citizens and citizens of third countries.
And it goes without saying that this Agreement, the first Development Plan in essence to be implemented in the Bases, is expected to bring significant prospects for growth, activity and multiplier benefits, not only for the residents living or owning property in the Bases, but also for the economy and society at large, in a particularly difficult period due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Fourth: It demonstrates the upgraded and excellent level of relations between the Republic of Cyprus and the United Kingdom, which led to the conclusion and completion of the Agreement in question.
With regard to individual aspects of the Agreement, relevant information on the relevant provisions and procedures for the submission of applications will be provided through the web pages of the Department of Town and Country Planning, while citizens will be able to obtain relevant information from the offices of the relevant Provincial Administrations, as well as from the Community Councils and Town Halls that fall within the British Bases.
I have to admit that the whole effort to complete the Agreement from its signing on 15 January 2014 until today has been lengthy, and justifiably so, as the complexity of the matter, a number of issues that arose during the negotiations, should not be overlooked, so that we could achieve the best possible outcome.
This is not only because of the special status of the Bases and the environmental, military and security issues that arose, but because, as I have already mentioned, it was the largest urban change of use and development in the Republic of Cyprus.
Thanks to the sincere and constructive cooperation between the Republic of Cyprus and the United Kingdom, particularly between the Ministries involved - and here I see my friend Tasos Tzionis, who was in charge of the whole negotiation on behalf of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, but also those responsible in the British Foreign Office and from various services such as the Department of Planning, Land Registry etc - it was possible to find mutually beneficial solutions and overcome any difficulties, as the primary concern of all was to implement the Agreement with a view to enhancing the development potential and prosperity of the Municipalities, Communities and the residents and property owners located in the Bases area who will benefit as a result of this Agreement.
Once again I would like to express my absolute satisfaction at the commencement of the implementation of the Civilian Development Agreement on the Bases, which represents a substantial and qualitative milestone in the further deepening of relations between Cyprus and the United Kingdom.
A milestone which demonstrates and proves in practice the enhanced framework of cooperation at bilateral and international level that has been observed in recent years between the two countries.
In conclusion, I would like once again to express my sincere thanks to the Government of the United Kingdom and the High Commissioner here, my friend Stephen Lilly, and to the relevant officials of the Ministries involved and their counterparts in the United Kingdom who have worked hard and with dedication to bring the Development Plan to fruition.
I wish all the best with the new Agreement, particularly in strengthening relations between the two countries, but also in the effort we are making to see our country reunited so that an unacceptable situation is brought to an end, because today some distortions are being corrected, but there are also some that have been outstanding for 48 years.
(PM/MG/EXP)
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