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Historic day for residents of British Bases: Land and property development begins – Joint statement by Cyprus and Britain

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“The Governments of the Republic of Cyprus and the United Kingdom announce the start of implementation, on 16 May 2022 of the bilateral Settlement signed in 2014 on Civilian Development at the Bases. This agreement is an important milestone in the long-standing bilateral relations between the two States, reflecting the close cooperation and ties we have shared for more than six decades.

The conclusion of the negotiations and the consultation period on environmental issues marks the beginning of the implementation of the new Civilian Development Plan, an urban plan that will allow more development opportunities in the Base areas.

Formed by the two Governments and after consulting with environmental and business groups, as well as local communities, this new urban system means removing many of the existing restrictions on land and property development within the Bases.

Urban zones and procedures, similar to those in the Republic of Cyprus, will be applied to the Bases from 16 May 2022, with the exception of areas related to the military needs of the Bases and security issues. The rights of all landowners and property owners will continue to be guaranteed regardless of where they live, while at the same time, environmentally sensitive areas will be protected.

The new policy, with the accompanying maps, will be published in their final form on May 16, 2022 and will be available to the public. From 16 May 2022, property owners will be able to apply for planning and housing permits as part of the new design. At the same time, for a period of four months from the publication, the public will have the right to submit objections regarding the urban areas.

The implementation of the Settlement is the proof of the commitment of the two States to honor their obligations, which derive from the Establishment Treaty and to protect the prosperity of current and future residents, as well as property owners, in general, in the areas of the British Bases “.

The President of the Republic Mr. Nikos Anastasiadis addresses the event for the announcement of the start of the implementation of the Agreement for the Civilian Development of the area of ​​the British Bases, Nicosia May 9, 2022.

Speech The President of the Republic Mr. Nikos Anastasiadis at the announcement ceremony of the launch of the Agreement with the United Kingdom on development at the British Bases:

It is with great pleasure that I welcome you to today's event with the aim of briefing on the implementation from 16 May 2022 of the Agreement on the Development of Civilian Areas within the British Bases.

A truly historic Agreement on the The Republic of Cyprus and the inhabitants and owners of land and property within the borders of the Bases, but also a tangible proof of the excellent relations between Cyprus and the United Kingdom.

An agreement reached on 15 January 2014 between Prime Minister David Cameron and the undersigned and signed by the Foreign Ministers. William Haik and Giannaki Kasoulidis.

Based on what is provided:

First: For the first time since the establishment of the Republic of Cyprus and the relevant Treaties of 1960, and despite the occasional efforts by previous Governments, a final and holistic arrangement is reached for the development of land and property within the boundaries of the British Bases.

Second: It is also, for the first time since the founding of the Republic of Cyprus, the largest change of land use, as 80% of the territory of the British Bases, covering an area of ​​approximately 200 square kilometers out of a total of 255, change status and are included in urban zones. benefit of 4 Municipalities and 23 Communities that fall either partially or in full within the areas of the Bases.

In this context, 6,150 hectares can be used for residential, tourist, commercial, livestock and agricultural development purposes, while the rest of the area is part of protection or mild development zones.

Third: A timeless and absolutely satisfactory justified request of the affected landowners for utilization and exploitation of their property in an equal and proportionate way in comparison with the property owners in the areas controlled by the Republic of Cyprus, thus removing the distortions and imbalances they had experienced for 62 years. p>

From now on, property owners in the areas of the Bases will follow the procedure in force in the Republic of Cyprus in relation to both urban and building permitting and the right of free disposal by property owners to Cypriots, European citizens, but also citizens of third countries.

And as is self-evident, this Agreement, the first essentially Development Plan to be implemented in the Bases, is expected to bring significant growth prospects, activity and multiplier benefits, not only for the residents who live or have property in the Bases, but also economy and society at large, at a particularly difficult time due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Fourth: Demonstrates the upgraded and excellent level of relations between the Republic of Cyprus and the United Kingdom, which completion of the Agreement in question.

Regarding individual aspects of the Agreement, relevant information on the relevant provisions and the procedures for submitting the relevant applications will be provided through the websites of the Department of Urban Planning and Housing, while citizens will be able to obtain relevant information from the Offices of the relevant District Administrations. of Community Councils and Town Halls falling within the British Bases.

I must admit that the whole effort to complete the Agreement from its signing on January 15, 2014 until today has been time consuming, and justifiably time consuming, since the complexity of the case should not be overlooked, heaps of issues that arose during the negotiations, so in order to achieve the best possible.

And this, not only because of the special status of the Bases and the environmental, military and security issues that have arisen, but because, as I have said, it has been the biggest urban change of use and development in the Republic of Cyprus.

For the sake of the sincere and constructive cooperation between the Republic of Cyprus and the United Kingdom, especially between the Ministries involved – and here I see my friend Tassos Tzionis, who had undertaken the entire negotiation on behalf of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as well as the relevant officials. of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and various Services such as the Department of Urban Planning, Land Registry, etc. – it was possible to find mutually beneficial solutions and overcome any difficulties, as the primary concern of all was the implementation of the Agreement with a view to strengthening Communities and residents and property owners located in the Bases area that will benefit as a result of this Agreement.

Once again, I would like to express my full satisfaction with the launch of the Agreement on Civilian Development in the Bases, which is a substantial and qualitative milestone in the further deepening of relations between Cyprus and the United Kingdom.

< p> A milestone that demonstrates and demonstrates in practice the enhanced framework of cooperation at bilateral and international level observed in recent years between the two countries.

Finally, I would like to extend my warmest thanks once again to the Government of the United Kingdom and to the High Commissioner, my friend Stephen Lilly, and to all the responsible Ministries and their UK counterparts for their hard work and dedication. in order to implement the Development Plan.

I wish the best with the new Agreement, especially in the strengthening of the relations between the two countries, but also in the effort that we make to see the reunification of our homeland, so to end an unacceptable situation, because today some distortions are being corrected, but there are also some that have been pending for 48 years.

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Source: politis.com.cy

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