By Manal Abdel Fattah
The Cypriot Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated today, Friday, that the Republic of Cyprus does not participate in any operation of a military nature, following the announcement that British aircraft stationed at the British Akrotiri base were part of an operation that carried out air strikes on military sites belonging to the Iranian-backed Houthis in Yemen. .
In his statements to the Cyprus News Agency, Foreign Ministry spokesman Theodoros Goutsis said that the Republic of Cyprus is actively monitoring the security situation that has deteriorated in the region, and stresses the need to immediately stop actions that threaten free and safe navigation and endanger the security of the region on a broader scale.
Invited to comment on air strikes launched by British forces overnight from Akrotiri against Houthi positions, Gotsis said, “With regard to the use of UK bases in Cyprus, the government is in constant contact with the United Kingdom on an ongoing basis within the framework set by the Founding Treaty and the accompanying documents.”
The spokesman noted that the security of Cyprus, as well as our relations with countries in the region, “represents the government’s highest priority.”
Regarding the situation in the Red Sea, Gotsis said, “The Republic of Cyprus is systematically monitoring worrying developments in the Red Sea, in close coordination with the European Union and in constant contact with our other regional and international partners.”
He said, “We note that the security situation in our region has deteriorated, which is of particular concern to us,” and explained that, “As a country in the region with a large maritime footprint, we clearly stress the need to immediately stop and end all actions that threaten free and safe navigation and endanger broader security in the region.” “The area is at risk.”
The official spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs stressed “the necessity of applying international law and relevant UN Security Council resolutions regarding the region, as well as the importance of exercising the utmost restraint to avoid further escalation in the Red Sea and the region as a whole.”
