{"id":1893998,"date":"2026-04-20T09:09:18","date_gmt":"2026-04-20T06:09:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=1893998"},"modified":"2026-04-20T09:09:18","modified_gmt":"2026-04-20T06:09:18","slug":"cyprus-upgrades-key-bases-with-us-funds-to-boost-middle-east-relief","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=1893998","title":{"rendered":"Cyprus upgrades key bases with US funds to boost Middle East relief"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/72\/79\/23\/1200x675_cmsv2_5a37af2b-e0fe-54e5-a5af-22bb30e414b7-9727923.jpg&#8221;]<\/p>\n<article id=\"abe-2887790-pos1-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1 m-modeXL-1\" data-nid=\"2887790\" data-cid=\"9729640\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2887790-label-pos1-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/72\/96\/40\/189x106_cmsv2_9aaec376-b058-5fe2-951b-7ec34ea8940b-9729640.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Participants in the Pride march cross the Elisabeth Bridge in Budapest, Hungary, Saturday, June 28, 2025. (AP Photo\/Rudolf Karancsi)\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Europe News<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    EU Court rules Hungary&#8217;s anti LGTBQ+ law breaches core values\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2887793-pos2-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1 m-modeXL-1\" data-nid=\"2887793\" data-cid=\"9729657\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2887793-label-pos2-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/72\/96\/57\/189x106_cmsv2_72f87509-d69c-5399-a0b1-de1a45b8f0cc-9729657.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Martin Scorsese\u2019s Pope Francis film \u2018Aldeas\u2019 premieres at Vatican one year after pontiff\u2019s death\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Cinema<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    &#8216;Aldeas&#8217;: Martin Scorsese\u2019s Pope Francis film to premiere at Vatican\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2887778-pos3-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1 m-modeXL-1\" data-nid=\"2887778\" data-cid=\"9729541\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2887778-label-pos3-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/72\/95\/41\/189x106_cmsv2_888fb688-3e2a-54e3-aab1-989d5e7522ce-9729541.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"AmirAli Mirjafari in court\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Iran<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Iran hangs man accused of ties to Israel and arson during protests\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2887608-pos4-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1 m-modeXL-1 the-media-object--has-video\" data-nid=\"2887608\" data-cid=\"9728651\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2887608-label-pos4-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/72\/86\/51\/189x106_cmsv2_1e998e56-3199-586e-9122-8eb4a75ee4db-9728651.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"JJ\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Europe Today<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Watch: Europe\u2019s relationship with Israel is fracturing \u2014 how far will it go?\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2887790-pos1-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2\" data-nid=\"2887790\" data-cid=\"9729640\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2887790-label-pos1-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/72\/96\/40\/189x106_cmsv2_9aaec376-b058-5fe2-951b-7ec34ea8940b-9729640.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Participants in the Pride march cross the Elisabeth Bridge in Budapest, Hungary, Saturday, June 28, 2025. (AP Photo\/Rudolf Karancsi)\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Europe News<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    EU Court rules Hungary&#8217;s anti LGTBQ+ law breaches core values\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2887793-pos2-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2\" data-nid=\"2887793\" data-cid=\"9729657\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2887793-label-pos2-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/72\/96\/57\/189x106_cmsv2_72f87509-d69c-5399-a0b1-de1a45b8f0cc-9729657.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Martin Scorsese\u2019s Pope Francis film \u2018Aldeas\u2019 premieres at Vatican one year after pontiff\u2019s death\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Cinema<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    &#8216;Aldeas&#8217;: Martin Scorsese\u2019s Pope Francis film to premiere at Vatican\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2887778-pos3-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2\" data-nid=\"2887778\" data-cid=\"9729541\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2887778-label-pos3-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/72\/95\/41\/189x106_cmsv2_888fb688-3e2a-54e3-aab1-989d5e7522ce-9729541.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"AmirAli Mirjafari in court\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Iran<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Iran hangs man accused of ties to Israel and arson during protests\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2887608-pos4-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--has-video\" data-nid=\"2887608\" data-cid=\"9728651\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2887608-label-pos4-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/72\/86\/51\/189x106_cmsv2_1e998e56-3199-586e-9122-8eb4a75ee4db-9728651.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"JJ\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Europe Today<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Watch: Europe\u2019s relationship with Israel is fracturing \u2014 how far will it go?\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article class=\"helper-site-row o-article-newsy\">\n<div class=\"helper-site-container o-article-newsy__container\">\n<div class=\"o-article-newsy__main\">\n<header class=\"h-grid o-article-newsy__main__header\">\n<nav aria-label=\"Breadcrumbs\" class=\"c-article-breadcrumbs\">\n<div id=\"adb-article-breadcrumb\" class=\"c-article-breadcrumbs__list\">\n<p>                          Europe<\/p>\n<p>                          Europe News<\/p><\/div>\n<\/nav>\n<h1 class=\"c-article-redesign-title\">\n                            Cyprus upgrades key bases with US funds to boost Middle East relief<\/h1>\n<div class=\"c-article-image-video u-position-relative \">\n<div class=\"js-superdiv u-aspect-ratio-16x9 u-position-relative u-max-width-1280 u-margin-x-auto\" data-video='{\"id\":\"xa63aka\",\"articleId\":2887463,\"title\":\"Cyprus upgrades key bases with US funds to boost Middle East relief\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/SHD\/42\/03\/98\/04\/SHD_PYR_4203984_20260420141848.mp4\",\"programId\":\"europe-news\",\"player\":\"dailymotion\",\"geoBlock\":[\"\"],\"sources\":[],\"description\":\"Cyprus will upgrade key air and naval bases with US and EU-backed funding to boost its role as a humanitarian hub for Middle East evacuations, according to officials.\",\"isLive\":false,\"articleUrl\":\"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/video\/2026\/04\/20\/cyprus-upgrades-key-bases-with-us-funds-to-boost-middle-east-relief\",\"duration\":97080}' data-sponsored=\"Partner content\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"js-poster-img c-article-media__img\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/72\/79\/23\/1536x864_cmsv2_5a37af2b-e0fe-54e5-a5af-22bb30e414b7-9727923.jpg\" width=\"1536\" height=\"864\" loading=\"eager\" alt=\"Cyprus naval base \"><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-caption u-position-absolute\"><i id=\"article-caption-content\" class=\"c-article-caption__content\"><span class=\"c-article-caption__text\"><br \/>\n              Cyprus naval base<br \/>\n                    <span class=\"u-color-white\">&#8211;\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"c-article-caption__copyright\">Copyright\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"c-article-caption__credit\">AP Photo<\/span><\/span><\/i><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-image-copyright\">\n      Copyright\u00a0AP Photo\n  <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/header>\n<div class=\"h-grid o-article-newsy__main__body u-article-content\">\n<div class=\"o-article-newsy__contributors-publication-date\">\n<div class=\"c-article-contributors\">\n  By&amp;nbspIoannis Karagiorgas&amp;nbspwith&amp;nbsp<b>AP<\/b><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-publication-date\" data-timestamp=\"1776676158\">\n         Published on<br \/>\n            <time datetime=\"2026-04-20 11:09:18 +02:00\">20\/04\/2026 &#8211; 11:09 GMT+2<\/time><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-partage-commentaire u-align-items-center 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decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-whatsapp.svg\" width=\"48\" height=\"48\" alt=\"whatsapp\" class=\"u-show-for-desktop\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-partage-commentaire-popup__content__embed_container u-display-none\"><span class=\"c-article-partage-commentaire-popup__content__embed__tooltip\"><br \/>\n                            Copy\/paste the article video embed link below:<br \/>\n                        <\/span><span class=\"c-article-partage-commentaire-popup__content__embed u-display-flex\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/icon-copy-to-clipboard.svg\" width=\"16\" height=\"16\" alt=\"Copy to clipboard\" class=\"u-cursor-pointer js-c-article-partage-commentaire-copy\" loading=\"lazy\"><span class=\"c-article-partage-commentaire-popup__content__embed--success-copied u-display-none js-c-article-partage-commentaire-video-embed-success-link-copied\"><br \/>\n                                Copied<br \/>\n                            <\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h2 class=\"c-article-summary\">\n        Cyprus will upgrade key air and naval bases with US and EU-backed funding to boost its role as a humanitarian hub for Middle East evacuations, according to officials.<br \/>\n    <\/h2>\n<div class=\"c-article-content js-article-content\">\n<p>Cyprus is upgrading two key military installations with US funding to reinforce its role as a humanitarian safe haven for evacuees from conflicts in the Middle East, officials said.<\/p>\n<div>\n<div class=\"c-ad u-show-for-mobile-only\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt loading=\"lazy\"><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-ad u-show-for-desktop\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt loading=\"lazy\"><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>The Andreas Papandreou Air Base in Paphos will be expanded to include a new parking apron capable of accommodating dozens of heavy-lift military transport aircraft, allowing faster refuelling and maintenance during large-scale humanitarian operations.<\/p>\n<p>The Evangelos Florakis naval base at Mari, 229 kilometres from Lebanon&#8217;s coast, will receive a new US European Command-funded heliport capable of accommodating large Chinook transport helicopters to airlift evacuees from conflict zones.<\/p>\n<p>The US has provided \u20ac500,000 for a development plan to determine the overall cost of the air base expansion, Lt Col Paris Samoutis, a Cyprus National Guard spokesperson, told the Associated Press. Exact funding for both projects has not been released as cost assessments continue.<\/p>\n<p>Work is expected to start in 2027, according to Cyprus Defence Minister Vasilis Palmas. The air base upgrades could cost around \u20ac14 million, while the naval base project may exceed \u20ac200 million, with Cyprus seeking additional EU funding for the latter.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.6665\">\n<div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n<div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n<div class=\"widget__contents\">\n<figure class=\"widget__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/72\/79\/23\/808x539_cmsv2_a9f53786-5830-54f0-825f-dd3c0517a3a6-9727923.jpg\" alt=\"Andreas Papandreou Air Base\"><figcaption class=\"widget__caption\"><span class=\"widget__captionWrap\"><span class=\"widget__captionText\">Andreas Papandreou Air Base<\/span><span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">AP Photo<\/span><\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Cyprus has carved out a strategic role as the closest EU member state to crisis zones in the Middle East, acting as a transit point for humanitarian evacuations and aid shipments.<\/p>\n<p>In 2006, the island facilitated the evacuation of around 30,000 people from Lebanon during the Israel-Hezbollah war. In April 2023, it served as a transit point for evacuating third-country nationals from Sudan. In 2024, it deployed the Amalthea maritime corridor to ship thousands of tonnes of humanitarian aid to Gaza, initially directly and later through Israel&#8217;s Ashdod port.<\/p>\n<p>In June 2025, when the US and Israel struck Iran&#8217;s nuclear facilities, Cyprus again acted as a waystation for people leaving Israel and for Israelis stranded abroad to return home.<\/p>\n<p>The US deployed a Marine contingent with V-22 Osprey tiltrotor aircraft to Paphos Air Base in 2024 to assist with potential evacuations from Lebanon.<\/p>\n<p>Cyprus President Nikos Christodoulides has made clear that the country&#8217;s military installations will be restricted to humanitarian operations and will not be used for offensive military action.<\/p>\n<p>Bilateral military cooperation between EU member Cyprus and the US has grown in recent years. In January 2025, experts from the 435th Contingency Response Group, based at Germany&#8217;s Ramstein, conducted an infrastructure assessment at Andreas Papandreou Air Base.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Events in Sudan, Lebanon, Israel and Gaza in 2023 and 2024 demonstrated the criticality of the Republic of Cyprus as a security partner in the eastern Mediterranean,&#8221; said US Army Col Kenneth Evans, senior defence attache at the US Embassy in Nicosia, in January 2025.<\/p>\n<p>The upgrades are part of a broader programme to enhance both bases&#8217; capacity to support large-scale humanitarian responses.<\/p>\n<p>Cyprus also sought funding through the EU&#8217;s SAFE programme, which offers \u20ac1.18 billion to improve defence readiness and infrastructure across EU member states, repayable over 45 years.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>                                  Go to accessibility shortcuts<\/p>\n<div class=\"c-article-partage-commentaire u-align-items-center u-display-flex\"><span class=\"c-article-partage-commentaire__links u-align-items-center u-display-flex u-justify-content-center js-c-article-partage-commentaire-share\"><span>Share<\/span><\/span><span>Comments<\/span><\/div>\n<div id=\"adb-article-you-might-also-like\" class=\"perf-cv-auto c-article-you-might-also-like\">\n<h2 class=\"c-article-you-might-also-like__title\">\n        Read more<br \/>\n      <\/h2>\n<div class=\"c-article-you-might-also-like__item\">\n<h3>\n<p>                  EU Court rules Orb\u00e1n\u2019s anti LGTBQ+ law breaches core values, calls on Budapest to cancel it <\/p>\n<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-you-might-also-like__item\">\n<h3>\n<p>                  German-made components found in Russian drones despite EU sanctions<\/p>\n<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-you-might-also-like__item\">\n<h3>\n<p>                  Slovakia to vote in July referendum on scrapping lifelong payments for politicians<\/p>\n<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"perf-cv-auto\">\n<ul id=\"adb-article-tags\" class=\"c-tags-list\">\n<li class=\"c-tags-list__item\">\n<p>    US-Israel attack on Iran 2026<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"c-tags-list__item\">\n<p>    USA<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"c-tags-list__item\">\n<p>    Cyprus<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<aside class=\"o-article-newsy__aside\">\n<div class=\"c-ad-wrapper o-article-newsy__aside__content-1\" data-ad-name=\"adzone-halfpage\">\n<div class=\"c-ad c-ad-halfpage u-show-for-desktop\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-ad u-show-for-mobile-only\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"adb-article-top-stories\" class=\"perf-cv-auto c-top-stories\">\n<h2 class=\"c-top-stories__title\">Top stories<\/h2>\n<div class=\"c-top-stories__item\">\n<article id=\"abe-2887766-pos2-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2887766\" data-cid=\"9729506\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2887766-label-pos2-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/72\/95\/06\/320x180_cmsv2_fc43a89a-0f27-527a-b64c-440a314dd652-9729506.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"FILE: Mourners carry Iranian flags as they gather during a funeral procession in Tehran, 1 April 2026\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    US-Iran ceasefire on brink as talks stall and Hormuz crisis deepens<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-top-stories__item\">\n<article id=\"abe-2887790-pos3-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2887790\" data-cid=\"9729640\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2887790-label-pos3-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/72\/96\/40\/320x180_cmsv2_9aaec376-b058-5fe2-951b-7ec34ea8940b-9729640.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Participants in the Pride march cross the Elisabeth Bridge in Budapest, Hungary, Saturday, June 28, 2025. (AP Photo\/Rudolf Karancsi)\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    EU Court rules Hungary&#8217;s anti LGTBQ+ law breaches core values<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-top-stories__item\">\n<article id=\"abe-2887694-pos4-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--has-video the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2887694\" data-cid=\"9729198\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2887694-label-pos4-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/72\/91\/98\/320x180_cmsv2_00d4ad5c-79dc-5dec-b921-9b30cba2c726-9729198.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Espen Barth Eide, Norwegian Minister of Foreign Affairs &amp; Maria Tadeo, EUronews\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div 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components found in Russian drones despite EU sanctions<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-top-stories__item\">\n<article id=\"abe-2887778-pos6-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2887778\" data-cid=\"9729541\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2887778-label-pos6-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/72\/95\/41\/320x180_cmsv2_888fb688-3e2a-54e3-aab1-989d5e7522ce-9729541.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"AmirAli Mirjafari in court\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Iran hangs man accused of ties to Israel and arson during protests<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"perf-cv-auto c-ad-wrapper 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Which countries most affected?<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-most-viewed__item\"><span class=\"c-most-viewed__item__number\">5<\/span><\/p>\n<article id=\"abe-2887638-pos5-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2887638\" data-cid=\"9728991\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    &#8216;If Druzhba is operational, Zelenskyy should open it,&#8217; Magyar says<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"perf-cv-auto c-ad-wrapper o-article-newsy__aside__content-3\" data-ad-name=\"adzone-halfpage\">\n<div class=\"c-ad c-ad-halfpage u-show-for-desktop\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-ad u-show-for-mobile-only\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2887766-pos2-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2887766\" data-cid=\"9729506\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2887766-label-pos2-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/72\/95\/06\/320x180_cmsv2_fc43a89a-0f27-527a-b64c-440a314dd652-9729506.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"FILE: Mourners carry Iranian flags as they gather during a funeral procession in Tehran, 1 April 2026\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    US-Iran ceasefire on brink as talks stall and Hormuz crisis deepens<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2887790-pos3-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2887790\" data-cid=\"9729640\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2887790-label-pos3-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/72\/96\/40\/320x180_cmsv2_9aaec376-b058-5fe2-951b-7ec34ea8940b-9729640.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Participants in the Pride march cross the Elisabeth Bridge in Budapest, Hungary, Saturday, June 28, 2025. (AP Photo\/Rudolf Karancsi)\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    EU Court rules Hungary&#8217;s anti LGTBQ+ law breaches core values<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2887694-pos4-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--has-video the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2887694\" data-cid=\"9729198\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2887694-label-pos4-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/72\/91\/98\/320x180_cmsv2_00d4ad5c-79dc-5dec-b921-9b30cba2c726-9729198.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Espen Barth Eide, Norwegian Minister of Foreign Affairs &amp; Maria Tadeo, EUronews\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Appetite among NATO members to join Iran war &#8216;very limited&#8217;, says Eide<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2887593-pos5-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2887593\" data-cid=\"9728642\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2887593-label-pos5-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/70\/23\/11\/320x180_cmsv2_b8d5a000-9d3f-520b-a9f5-6190864e7a43-9702311.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Made in Germany: These components are driving Russian drones into Ukraine\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    German-made components found in Russian drones despite EU sanctions<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2887778-pos6-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2887778\" data-cid=\"9729541\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2887778-label-pos6-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/72\/95\/41\/320x180_cmsv2_888fb688-3e2a-54e3-aab1-989d5e7522ce-9729541.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"AmirAli Mirjafari in court\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Iran hangs man accused of ties to Israel and arson during protests<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2887576-pos1-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2887576\" data-cid=\"9728500\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Stranded cruise ships on way to Europe after passing Strait of Hormuz<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2887652-pos2-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--has-video the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2887652\" data-cid=\"9728948\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Whale stranded on German coast swims off and gets stuck again<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2887687-pos3-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2887687\" data-cid=\"9729167\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Trump refuses to lift Hormuz blockade until Iran deal agreed<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2887010-pos4-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2887010\" data-cid=\"9726054\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    EU population to fall by 12% by 2100: Which countries most affected?<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2887638-pos5-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2887638\" data-cid=\"9728991\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    &#8216;If Druzhba is operational, Zelenskyy should open it,&#8217; Magyar says<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<div class=\"articleBody\" data-key=\"articleBody\">Cyprus is upgrading two key military installations with US funding to reinforce its role as a humanitarian safe haven for evacuees from conflicts in the Middle East, officials said.The Andreas Papandreou Air Base in Paphos will be expanded to include a new parking apron capable of accommodating dozens of heavy-lift military transport aircraft, allowing faster refuelling and maintenance during large-scale humanitarian operations.The Evangelos Florakis naval base at Mari, 229 kilometres from Lebanon&#8217;s coast, will receive a new US European Command-funded heliport capable of accommodating large Chinook transport helicopters to airlift evacuees from conflict zones.The US has provided \u20ac500,000 for a development plan to determine the overall cost of the air base expansion, Lt Col Paris Samoutis, a Cyprus National Guard spokesperson, told the Associated Press. Exact funding for both projects has not been released as cost assessments continue.Work is expected to start in 2027, according to Cyprus Defence Minister Vasilis Palmas. The air base upgrades could cost around \u20ac14 million, while the naval base project may exceed \u20ac200 million, with Cyprus seeking additional EU funding for the latter.Cyprus has carved out a strategic role as the closest EU member state to crisis zones in the Middle East, acting as a transit point for humanitarian evacuations and aid shipments.In 2006, the island facilitated the evacuation of around 30,000 people from Lebanon during the Israel-Hezbollah war. In April 2023, it served as a transit point for evacuating third-country nationals from Sudan. In 2024, it deployed the Amalthea maritime corridor to ship thousands of tonnes of humanitarian aid to Gaza, initially directly and later through Israel&#8217;s Ashdod port.In June 2025, when the US and Israel struck Iran&#8217;s nuclear facilities, Cyprus again acted as a waystation for people leaving Israel and for Israelis stranded abroad to return home.The US deployed a Marine contingent with V-22 Osprey tiltrotor aircraft to Paphos Air Base in 2024 to assist with potential evacuations from Lebanon.Cyprus President Nikos Christodoulides has made clear that the country&#8217;s military installations will be restricted to humanitarian operations and will not be used for offensive military action.Bilateral military cooperation between EU member Cyprus and the US has grown in recent years. In January 2025, experts from the 435th Contingency Response Group, based at Germany&#8217;s Ramstein, conducted an infrastructure assessment at Andreas Papandreou Air Base.&#8221;Events in Sudan, Lebanon, Israel and Gaza in 2023 and 2024 demonstrated the criticality of the Republic of Cyprus as a security partner in the eastern Mediterranean,&#8221; said US Army Col Kenneth Evans, senior defence attache at the US Embassy in Nicosia, in January 2025.The upgrades are part of a broader programme to enhance both bases&#8217; capacity to support large-scale humanitarian responses.Cyprus also sought funding through the EU&#8217;s SAFE programme, which offers \u20ac1.18 billion to improve defence readiness and infrastructure across EU member states, repayable over 45 years.<\/div>\n<p>[analyse_source url=&#8221;https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/my-europe\/2026\/04\/20\/cyprus-upgrades-key-bases-with-us-funds-to-boost-middle-east-relief&#8221;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/72\/79\/23\/1200x675_cmsv2_5a37af2b-e0fe-54e5-a5af-22bb30e414b7-9727923.jpg&#8221;] Europe News EU Court rules Hungary&#8217;s anti LGTBQ+ law breaches core values Cinema &#8216;Aldeas&#8217;: Martin Scorsese\u2019s Pope Francis film to premiere at Vatican Iran Iran hangs man accused of ties to Israel and arson during protests Europe Today Watch: Europe\u2019s relationship with Israel is fracturing \u2014 how far will it go? Europe [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[90],"tags":[226,36],"class_list":["post-1893998","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-international","tag-crawlmanager","tag-euronews-com"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1893998","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1893998"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1893998\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1893998"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1893998"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1893998"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}