New Book

Andreas Theophanous and Yiannis Tirkides (Ed.)

Reflections on the Relations between

Britain and the Republic of Cyprus

and the case of the British Sovereign Base Areas

Nicosia, Intercollege Press (in English, 144 pages)

Building on its tradition of current scientific analyses of specialized issues debated in the public domain, the Research Center – Intercollege (which, with the establishment of the University of Nicosia, has been renamed to Cyprus Center for European and International Affairs) has just released a new book entitled «Reflections on the Relations between Britain and the Republic of Cyprus and the case of the British Sovereign Base Areas» edited by Andreas Theophanous and Yiannis Tirkides.  The basic aim of this study is the examination of the relationship between the two countries, including the issue by the Sovereign Bases. The study examines some sensitive aspects of this relationship and integrates public perceptions in the analysis.

The study underlines the particularly strong economic and social relations between the two countries.  Suffices to say that in the economic domain the net surplus for Cyprus in the balance of payments from transactions between the two countries, including the bases, is about 10% of Cyprus GDP.  In relation to the social aspects of the relationship, the book stresses the incorporation of British practices in Cypriot business law and the broader legal framework, the educational exchanges, the presence of a sizable Cypriot community in the UK and the increasing number of British expatriates and businessmen in Cyprus.

According to the study this remarkable socioeconomic record is not matched in the political domain. Furthermore, the overall political relationship often becomes difficult and at times tense, with Greek Cypriots perceiving British policy over Cyprus to have been consistently pro-Turkish and that that in 1974 Britain fell short of carrying out its Treaty obligations.  It should be also noted that there is a widespread perception that Britain and the West in general enjoy multidimensional benefits from the sovereign bases but there is no reciprocity toward the Republic of Cyprus.

The study suggests that it is essential to reassess the overall relations between Cyprus and Britain. At the same time it recognizes that common values and converging interests, particularly in the context of the European Union, can be jointly and successfully pursued.

The book “Reflections on the Relations between Britain and the Republic of Cyprus and the case of the British Sovereign Base Areas” constitutes a useful manual enriched with multiple primary and secondary sources, which can be utilized in furthering the study of the relations between the two countries.

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