The Ministry of Defence is in the process of carrying out studies and contacts with the United States and the European Union for the upgrade and modernisation of the 'Andreas Papandreou' air base in Paphos and the 'Evangelos Florakis' naval base in Mari, Defence Minister Vassilis Palmas has said.
He was speaking to CNA, which asked him about this issue following a report in 'Phileleftheros' newspaper on 10 August.
“An announcement we made quite some time ago concerns the upgrade and modernisation of both bases. We believe these are projects that can contribute to the already enhanced role Cyprus plays in the region, also due to recent developments,” the Minister said, referring to the crisis in Gaza, the crisis in Lebanon, evacuations, and humanitarian and peacekeeping missions.
Palmas noted that talks are already taking place with the European Union and the Americans to cooperate with them on these two bases, with the Americans in relation to the Andreas Papandreou Air Base, and with the Europeans in relation to the naval base in Mari.
He said US officials have visited the air base twice, submitting recommendations, while contacts have been made with the Europeans for the project in Mari. Regarding the upgrade of the Mari base, he said it is a very large project expected to be completed in two to three years, while the upgrade of the air base is estimated to be completed in one and a half to two years.
At the same time, the Minister stressed that “both bases, regardless of cooperation with the Americans and the Europeans, are bases of Cypriot interest and Cypriot ownership” and that their ownership will not be handed over to foreigners.
He clarified that they will continue to serve Cyprus' allies in terms of training, information exchange, and broader missions such as the evacuation of citizens from neighbouring crisis areas.
He stressed that Cyprus’s geographical position, as the easternmost EU member state, reinforces its role as “the country representing the Mediterranean in Europe” and makes the full modernisation of the two bases necessary to better meet international requirements.
(Source: CNA)
