President of the Republic Nicos Christodoulides describes the United Kingdom’s potential return to the European Union as a “win-win” situation, while emphasizing in an interview that “we must put an end to the colonial legacy,” referring to the British bases at Akrotiri and Dhekelia.
The President of the Republic gave an interview to the British newspaper The Observer.
ΣΧΕΤΙΚΑ ΑΡΘΡΑ
President Christodoulides noted that it is time to resolve a long-standing dispute regarding the status of the two bases, an issue that has returned to the forefront following the drone attack on the British base at Akrotiri.
“We must put an end to this colonial legacy,” he said, adding that “this is not an expression of anti-British sentiment.”
“Right now, our relationship with the United Kingdom is not the same as it was in 1960.”
The United Kingdom has not ruled out a discussion about the bases, he said, while declining to comment on the arrangement Cyprus will seek. “We have a range of options, but out of respect for the British government, we will not negotiate publicly.”
The UK’s Return to the EU
Commenting on a possible UK return to the EU, the President noted that all 27 member states would welcome the UK’s readmission to the bloc, describing this scenario as a “win-win situation.”
The President noted that he would like to see the UK fully rejoin as early as next week.
“I can tell you on behalf of the 27 member states that all countries would welcome the possibility of the United Kingdom’s reintegration. The obstacle does not lie on the European side.”
“If we are together, we are much stronger,” Christodoulides emphasized, adding that such an outcome would strengthen the bloc during a period of global turmoil and help Britain address its own issues, such as immigration.
Rejoining the EU would be easier for the United Kingdom compared to other candidate countries because it is already closely aligned with the bloc, Christodoulides said. However, he did not expect the United Kingdom to reapply for membership “tomorrow or in two years.”
“I don’t think it’s politically easy right now for the British prime minister to say, ‘We’re reapplying or we’re holding a referendum,’” he said. “I see a gradual approach that, at the end of the day, will be like being a member of the European Union without officially being a member state: think of Ukraine—or defense and security today.”
Christodoulides stated that he is not concerned about whether the United Kingdom will change its mind about the EU, because British public opinion is leaning toward closer ties.
“If you ask me today, I would say that the United Kingdom needs the European Union more (than the EU needs the United Kingdom),” said President Christodoulides, adding that the United Kingdom will not be allowed to pick and choose. “No one would want that.”
