Downing Street has issued a readout of a call on 21 March 2026 between the Prime Minister and the President of the Republic of Cyprus, Nikos Christodoulides. The UK underlined that Cyprus’ security remains a priority and confirmed a specific basing assurance.
In the exchange, No 10 reiterated that RAF Akrotiri will not be involved in the UK’s continuation of its agreement with the United States to use UK bases in collective self‑defence of the region, including activity to degrade Iranian missile capabilities. The assurance was delivered directly to President Christodoulides.
The wording confirms ongoing UK‑US coordination while drawing a clear line around the sovereign base on Cyprus. The statement does not set out timelines, force elements or which other UK bases are included, and offers no operational detail beyond the legal framing of ‘collective self‑defence’.
According to No 10, the leaders also addressed the economic impact of the ongoing conflict referenced in the readout. Both agreed that de‑escalation in the region remains the priority and undertook to stay in close contact.
For officials and operators, the immediate effect of the assurance is continuity at RAF Akrotiri with respect to the activities described. The UK’s broader posture under the US arrangement continues, but Akrotiri is explicitly outside that scope as restated on 21 March.
The call again foregrounded Cyprus’ security in UK messaging, reflecting the sensitivity of basing and overflight issues in the Eastern Mediterranean. The emphasis signals an intent to balance regional military coordination with reassurance to the host nation.
The readout confines itself to diplomatic language and a single operational boundary. It does not announce changes to UK travel advice, parliamentary scheduling or any additional defence measures; any such updates would be issued separately by the responsible departments.