PM Keir Starmer in Cyprus – The First Visit of a British PM in 53 Years

Prime Minister Keir Starmer is in the Republic of Cyprus for an official visit, marking the first time a British Premier has visited the island state in 53 years in an official capacity.

Starmer met with the President of Cyprus, Nikos Christodoulides, in the capital Nicosia on Tuesday. Talks between the two men are expected to touch on the Cyprus issue, bilateral relations, the historic developments in Syria, and the ongoing turmoil in the wider Middle East region.

The Cypriot Republic hosts two sovereign British military bases on its territory and a powerful radar located in Troodos, the largest mountain range in Cyprus, located in roughly the center of the island.

The two British bases are located at Akrotiri in the south of the island, near the city of Limassol, while Dhekelia is in the southeast, near Larnaca.

The British Sovereign Base Areas (SBAs) of Akrotiri and Dhekelia comprise those parts of Cyprus that stayed under British jurisdiction and remained British sovereign territory when the 1960 Treaty of Establishment created the independent Republic of Cyprus.

The official X account of the Cypriot Presidential Office shared a post about the visit, reading:

“The visit of Mr. Keir Starmer, Leader of the UK’s Labour Party, marks a significant milestone, taking place 53 years after the last visit by a British Prime Minister to Cyprus for a bilateral meeting. Coming just two months after a meeting between the two leaders at the Prime Minister’s Office in London, it underscores a clear commitment to strengthening bilateral ties at all levels.

Key Topics of Discussion
During the visit, discussions focused on pivotal issues, including:

Regional Developments: Exploring ways to collaborate on fostering conditions of stability and security in the region.
EU-UK Relations: Addressing future cooperation in the context of Cyprus assuming the Presidency of the Council of the European Union in the first half of 2026.
The Cyprus Issue: Emphasizing the United Kingdom’s unique role as a guarantor power and drafter of UN Security Council resolutions, with the aim of restarting negotiations and resolving the Cyprus problem in accordance with UN Security Council resolutions.
This visit reflects the shared determination of the two nations to enhance their partnership and engage in dialogue on issues of mutual concern, reinforcing their commitment to regional stability and the rule of international law.”