NICOSIA – Cyprus’ government wants to negotiate the status of citizens working at the United Kingdom’s military base on the island once the exit from the Eurozone is done, Foreign Minister Ioannis Kasoulides said.

“There will be a negotiation between the Republic of Cyprus and Britain as regards the rights of Cypriot citizens living and working in the British bases so that it is attached to the treaty of secession of Great Britain from the EU,” the minister told reporters following a cabinet meeting, the Cyprus Mail said.

He said the talks will start Oct. 11 but would be open-ended and without a deadline as sought by some lawmakers.

Kasoulides said the European Commission has agreed that action will be taken unless there is an agreement with the government with uncertainty as to what the role of Cypriots working on the base would be.

He said Cyprus wants to protect the rights of its citizens on the base. The UK was the Colonial ruler of the island and has been allowed to keep operating the military base.