British military blocks Greek Cypriot farmers from cultivating land within bases

The British Ministry of Defence is currently preventing Greek Cypriot farmers from cultivating their land located within the boundaries of British military bases in Cyprus. Agricultural Payments Commissioner Andreas Kyprianou briefed the House Refugees Committee on this issue, stating that British authorities cite security concerns and the rights of the Crown, which has reportedly transferred the land to the Ministry of Defence, as justification for these restrictions. The Cypriot Ministry of Foreign Affairs has been notified and is currently handling the matter.

Separately, Commissioner Kyprianou highlighted growing concerns regarding the encroachment of Turkish forces into the buffer zone, which spans approximately 2.8 per cent of the Republic’s territory. According to the Commissioner, satellite data from the Cyprus Agricultural Payments Organisation (CAPO) confirms that Turkish actors are cultivating plots owned by Greek Cypriots in violation of the ceasefire line. Kyprianou, who recently inspected the Akaki–Avlona area alongside affected landowners, described the situation as a serious matter that requires ongoing government attention.