The UK would hand over almost half of its sovereign land in Cyprus if the country is reunified, the Prime Minister has said.
Gordon Brown urged Cypriots to be “bold” and “courageous” in their efforts to reach a deal between the divided Turkish and Greek populations.
Following talks with President Dimitris Christofias at Number 10, the Prime Minister praised his work to progress discussions and encouraged him to resolve the issue.
The PM said:
“It is important that the solution to the Cyprus Problem is a Cypriot one – a solution by Cypriots for Cypriots. Nevertheless, as a sign of support for the negotiations, I can confirm today that an offer has been made to the United Nations to make available just under 50 per cent of the territory of the UK’s Sovereign Base Areas to a unified Cyprus in the event of a solution.
“It will be up to the two leaders to negotiate what happens with this land. The Sovereign Base Areas would be able to function as normal within a reduced land area. Today, my message to Cyprus’ leaders and to their people is: you can make history. Be bold, be courageous. The UK will support you.”
The two sovereign base areas – Akrotiri and Dhekelia – were retained under UK jurisdiction when Cyprus was granted independence in 1960 and cover 98 square miles.