MI6 chief Blaise Metreweli is set to meet with Cyprus President Nikos Christodoulides on Friday as the island ramps up security discussions in the face of escalating regional tensions.
- MI6 chief Blaise Metreweli is set to meet with Cyprus President Nikos Christodoulides on Friday as the island ramps up security discussions in the face of escalating regional tensions.
The meeting is scheduled to take place at 9am at the presidential palace, according to an official programme released by the presidency. This encounter comes during a particularly sensitive period, with increased military activity related to the US-Israeli conflict with Iran observed in the eastern Mediterranean.
Metreweli, who heads Britain’s foreign intelligence service, arrives in Cyprus following a series of diplomatic and defence engagements aimed at reinforcing security collaboration between Cyprus and its international partners. These discussions have gained urgency after recent incidents linked to the British sovereign base areas on the island.
On Thursday, British Defence Secretary John Healey met with Cypriot Defence Minister Vasilis Palmas. Healey underscored the enduring “friendship” between the UK and Cyprus, asserting that the two nations are working closely to bolster air defences in support of their mutual security.
During their talks, the security situation in the Middle East and the eastern Mediterranean formed a key part of the agenda, with both sides expressing a commitment to enhance communication and cooperation on crisis management.
This heightened dialogue follows a drone strike earlier in the week that targeted the runway at RAF Akrotiri, one of Britain’s sovereign bases in Cyprus. The incident raised alarm within Nicosia, prompting some officials to voice frustration over what they perceived as insufficient prior communication from London regarding the regional security landscape.
Amid this backdrop, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer clarified that the bases in Cyprus were “not being used by US bombers.” His remarks followed earlier comments that hinted at the possibility of allowing US forces to use British bases for strikes against Iranian missile capabilities, which had caused uncertainty about the involvement of Cypriot facilities.
In a show of commitment to the island’s security, the UK has announced the deployment of the HMS Dragon and two AW159 Wildcat helicopters to Cyprus. This deployment reflects Britain’s dedication to the safety of both the island and its stationed personnel. British aircraft have also been active in regional operations, with F-35 Lightning II jets stationed in Cyprus reportedly intercepting and shooting down drones over Jordanian airspace earlier this week.
Six of these advanced aircraft were dispatched to Cyprus from RAF Marham last month. Meanwhile, President Christodoulides engaged in a telephone conversation on Thursday with Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis to discuss the ongoing hostilities in the region. European leaders are also considering potential coordination of military resources aimed at supporting stability in the eastern Mediterranean.
