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Cyprus is a member of the United Nations[1] along with most of its agencies as well as the Commonwealth of Nations, World Bank, International Monetary Fund and Council of Europe. In addition, the country has signed the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) and the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency Agreement (MIGA). Cyprus has been a member of the European Union since 2004 and in the second half of 2012 it held the Presidency of the Council of the European Union.[2]
Cyprus has historically followed a non-aligned foreign policy, although it increasingly identifies with the West in its cultural affinities and trade patterns, and maintains close relations with the European Union, Greece, Armenia, Lebanon, Israel and the United States.
The prime originator of Cypriot non-alignment was Archbishop of Cyprus Makarios III, the first President (1960–1977) of the independent republic of Cyprus. Prior to independence, Makarios - by virtue of his post as Archbishop of Cyprus and head of the Cypriot Orthodox Church - was the Greek Cypriot Ethnarch, or de facto leader of the community. A highly influential figure well before independence, he participated in the 1955 Bandung Conference. After independence, Makarios took part in the 1961 founding meeting of the Non-Aligned Movement in Belgrade.
Reasons for this neutrality may lie in the extreme pressures exerted on the infant Republic by its larger neighbours, Turkey and Greece. Intercommunal rivalries and movements for union with Greece or partial union with Turkey may have persuaded Makarios to steer clear of close affiliation with either side. In any case Cyprus became a high-profile member of the Non-Aligned Movement and retained its membership until its entry into the European Union in 2004. At the non-governmental level, Cyprus has also been a member of the popular extension of the Non-Aligned Movement, the Afro-Asian Peoples' Solidarity Organisation hosting several high-level meetings.
Immediately after the 1974 Greek-sponsored coup d'état and the Turkish invasion, Makarios secured international recognition of his administration as the legitimate government of the whole island. This was disputed only by Turkey, which currently recognizes only the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, established in 1983.
Since the 1974 crisis, the chief aim of the foreign policy of the Republic of Cyprus has been to secure the withdrawal of Turkish forces and the reunification of the island under the most favorable constitutional and territorial settlement possible. This campaign has been pursued primarily through international forums such as the United Nations and the Non-Aligned Movement, and in recent years through the European Union.
List of countries which Cyprus maintains diplomatic relations with:
# | Country | Date[3] |
---|---|---|
1 | France | 16 August 1960[4] |
2 | United Kingdom | 16 August 1960[5] |
3 | United States | 16 August 1960[6] |
4 | Israel | 17 August 1960[7] |
5 | Russia | 18 August 1960[8] |
— | Turkey (suspended) | 18 August 1960[9] |
6 | Germany | 20 August 1960[10] |
7 | Lebanon | 20 September 1960[11] |
8 | Netherlands | 24 September 1960[12] |
9 | Serbia | 7 October 1960[13] |
10 | Hungary | 18 October 1960[14] |
11 | Egypt | 25 October 1960[15] |
12 | Syria | 25 October 1960[15] |
13 | Bulgaria | 30 October 1960[16] |
14 | Denmark | 2 November 1960[17] |
15 | Greece | 2 November 1960[18] |
16 | Romania | 13 November 1960[19] |
17 | Cuba | 22 November 1960[20] |
19 | Sweden | 12 December 1960[21] |
20 | Czech Republic | 22 December 1960[22] |
20 | Belgium | 1960[23] |
21 | Poland | 15 January 1961[24] |
22 | Canada | 14 August 1961[25] |
23 | Finland | 2 September 1961[26] |
24 | Italy | 12 September 1961[27] |
25 | Malaysia | 1961[28] |
26 | Pakistan | 1961[29] |
27 | Saudi Arabia | 1961[30] |
28 | India | 10 February 1962[31] |
29 | Japan | 15 June 1962[32] |
30 | Chile | 26 June 1962[33] |
31 | Austria | 1962[34] |
32 | Jordan | 1962[35] |
33 | Sudan | 24 January 1963[36] |
34 | Norway | 22 March 1963[37] |
35 | Switzerland | 3 December 1963[38] |
36 | Ivory Coast | 25 January 1964[39] |
37 | Brazil | 21 July 1964[40] |
38 | Uruguay | 24 November 1965[41] |
39 | Colombia | 11 February 1966[42] |
40 | Peru | 12 September 1966[43] |
41 | Spain | 12 December 1967[44] |
42 | Argentina | 20 May 1968[45] |
43 | Luxembourg | 3 March 1970[46] |
44 | Nigeria | 1970[47] |
45 | Panama | 11 February 1971[43] |
46 | China | 14 December 1971[48] |
47 | Guyana | 11 February 1972[49] |
48 | Barbados | 27 February 1972[50] |
49 | Trinidad and Tobago | 25 May 1972[51] |
50 | Jamaica | 31 August 1972[52] |
51 | Malta | 13 September 1972[53] |
52 | Kenya | 1972[54] |
– | Holy See | 31 January 1973[55] |
53 | Iraq | 22 June 1973[56] |
54 | Libya | 8 November 1973[57] |
55 | Mongolia | 19 December 1973[58] |
56 | Australia | 1973[59] |
57 | Mexico | 21 February 1974[60] |
58 | Cameroon | 1974[61] |
59 | Portugal | 5 March 1975[62] |
60 | Vietnam | 1 December 1975[63] |
61 | Bahamas | 1975[64] |
62 | Seychelles | 1 July 1976[65] |
63 | Zambia | 10 December 1976[66] |
64 | Uganda | 1 February 1977[67] |
65 | Papua New Guinea | 31 March 1978[68] |
66 | New Zealand | 9 May 1978[69] |
67 | Ecuador | 14 February 1979[70] |
68 | Iceland | 4 September 1979[71] |
69 | Morocco | 1979[72] |
70 | Tanzania | 1979[73] |
71 | Sri Lanka | 4 March 1980[74] |
72 | Philippines | 6 March 1980[75] |
73 | Singapore | 26 April 1980[76] |
74 | Grenada | 29 April 1980 |
75 | Thailand | 5 May 1980[77] |
76 | Saint Lucia | 24 July 1980 |
77 | Suriname | 25 July 1980 |
78 | Nepal | 18 August 1980[78] |
79 | Dominican Republic | 7 May 1981[79] |
80 | Costa Rica | 17 November 1981[40] |
81 | Bahrain | 14 January 1982[80] |
82 | Oman | 27 January 1982[81] |
83 | Nicaragua | 26 May 1982 |
84 | Venezuela | 10 December 1982[82] |
85 | Bangladesh | 11 January 1983[83] |
86 | Bolivia | 3 March 1983[84] |
87 | Yemen | 8 November 1983[85] |
88 | Ireland | 23 November 1984[86] |
89 | Myanmar | 15 July 1985[87] |
90 | Maldives | 1 November 1987[88] |
91 | Indonesia | 4 December 1987[89] |
92 | Afghanistan | 1987[90] |
93 | Gabon | 21 October 1988[91] |
94 | Iran | 2 February 1989[92] |
95 | Zimbabwe | 13 February 1989[93] |
96 | Ghana | 5 May 1989[94] |
97 | Mali | 26 January 1990[95] |
98 | Rwanda | 31 March 1990[96] |
99 | Albania | 29 August 1991 |
100 | Marshall Islands | 17 November 1991 |
101 | North Korea | 23 December 1991 |
102 | Ukraine | 19 February 1992 |
103 | Kyrgyzstan | 20 February 1992 |
104 | Moldova | 21 February 1992 |
105 | Tajikistan | 27 February 1992 |
106 | Armenia | 18 March 1992 |
107 | Kazakhstan | 2 April 1992 |
108 | Belarus | 9 April 1992 |
109 | Federated States of Micronesia | 5 May 1992 |
110 | Georgia | 9 July 1992 |
111 | San Marino | 20 October 1992[97] |
112 | Lithuania | 3 December 1992 |
113 | Slovenia | 10 December 1992[98] |
114 | Guatemala | 17 December 1992 |
115 | Estonia | 20 December 1992 |
116 | Latvia | 20 December 1992 |
117 | Slovakia | 1 January 1993[99] |
118 | South Africa | 10 December 1993 |
119 | Croatia | 4 April 1993[100] |
120 | Andorra | 29 June 1995 |
121 | South Korea | 28 December 1995 |
122 | Uzbekistan | 30 May 1997 |
123 | El Salvador | 5 November 1999 |
124 | Bosnia and Herzegovina | 7 February 2000 |
125 | Nauru | 23 March 2000 |
126 | Cambodia | 16 May 2000 |
127 | Samoa | 24 May 2000 |
128 | Cape Verde | 31 May 2000 |
129 | Angola | 1 June 2000 |
130 | Malawi | 22 June 2000 |
131 | Laos | 29 June 2000 |
132 | Belize | 21 July 2000 |
133 | São Tomé and Príncipe | 7 November 2000 |
134 | Sierra Leone | 22 November 2000 |
135 | Liberia | 30 November 2000 |
136 | Gambia | 8 December 2000 |
137 | Mauritius | 1 February 2001 |
138 | Qatar | 21 February 2001 |
139 | Burkina Faso | 13 June 2001 |
140 | Dominica | 13 June 2001 |
141 | Eritrea | 6 August 2001 |
142 | Paraguay | 8 October 2001 |
143 | Burundi | 26 November 2001[101] |
144 | Liechtenstein | 3 April 2002[102] |
145 | East Timor | 20 June 2002[103] |
146 | Niger | 17 September 2002[104] |
147 | Chad | 18 September 2002 |
148 | Lesotho | 25 February 2004 |
149 | Antigua and Barbuda | 22 July 2004 |
150 | Honduras | 7 February 2005 |
151 | Botswana | 22 February 2005 |
152 | Kuwait | 3 May 2005 |
153 | Saint Vincent and the Grenadines | 2 August 2006 |
154 | Montenegro | 12 March 2007[105] |
155 | United Arab Emirates | 6 June 2007 |
156 | Namibia | 4 September 2007[106] |
157 | Turkmenistan | 13 November 2007 |
158 | Equatorial Guinea | 29 February 2008 |
159 | Guinea-Bissau | 20 May 2008 |
160 | Tonga | 22 June 2009[107] |
161 | Solomon Islands | 5 May 2010 |
162 | Monaco | 23 February 2011[108] |
— | Sovereign Military Order of Malta | 6 June 2012[109] |
163 | Fiji | 15 March 2013 |
— | State of Palestine | 9 February 2013[110][111] |
164 | Tuvalu | 2 July 2013 |
165 | Palau | 10 August 2015 |
166 | Togo | 24 September 2015 |
167 | Saint Kitts and Nevis | 8 March 2016[112] |
168 | North Macedonia | 30 August 2019 |
169 | South Sudan | 25 September 2021[113] |
170 | Benin | 10 October 2023 |
171 | Algeria | Unknown (before October 2006)[110] |
172 | Brunei | Unknown (before October 2006)[110] |
173 | Democratic Republic of the Congo | Unknown (before October 2006)[110] |
174 | Eswatini | Unknown (before October 2006)[110] |
175 | Ethiopia | Unknown (before October 2006)[110] |
176 | Guinea | Unknown (before October 2006)[110] |
177 | Madagascar | Unknown (before October 2006)[110] |
178 | Mauritania | Unknown (before October 2006)[110] |
179 | Mozambique | Unknown (before October 2006)[110] |
180 | Senegal | Unknown (before October 2006)[110] |
181 | Somalia | Unknown (before October 2006)[110] |
182 | Tunisia | Unknown (before October 2006)[110] |
183 | Vanuatu | Unknown (before October 2006)[110] |
Organization | Formal Relations Began | Notes |
---|---|---|
Council of Europe | Cyprus joined the Council of Europe as a full member on 24 May 1961. | |
European Union | See Cyprus in the European UnionCyprus joined the European Union as a full member on 1 May 2004. | |
NATO | See Cyprus–NATO relationsCyprus is not a member of NATO. |
Country | Formal relations began | Notes |
---|---|---|
Algeria | 3 April 1979 | See Algeria–Cyprus relations |
Burundi | ||
Comoros | Cyprus is represented in Comoros by its embassy in Pretoria.[119] | |
Egypt | 30 September 1960, severed diplomatic relations 21 February 1978, restored 30 May 1984 | See Cyprus–Egypt relationsEgypt is a close ally of Cyprus as both countries share an oilfield. Egypt conquered Cyprus many times in ancient, medieval and modern eras and it was ruled by Egyptians which added Egyptian culture to the local culture and supported increasing the relationship between both countries. The relationship between the two countries was strained in February 1978 when Cypriot National Guardsmen shot dead Egyptian Commandos at Larnaca International Airport when the commandos attempted to intervene in a hostage situation.
|
Eswatini |
| |
Lesotho | 25 February 2004 |
|
Libya | 8 November 1973 | See Cyprus–Libya relations
|
Madagascar |
| |
Malawi | 22 June 2000 |
|
Mauritania | ||
Mauritius | February 1, 2001[130] |
|
Morocco | 1979 | |
Namibia |
| |
Seychelles | 1 July 1976 |
|
South Africa | December 10, 1993 | |
Togo | 24 September 2015 | Cyprus is represented in Togo by its embassy in Paris, France.[140] |
Tunisia | 5 November 1999 |
|
Uganda | 1 February 1977 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 1 February 1977 when accredited first High Commissioner of Cyprus to Uganda with residence in Nairobi Mr. F. A. Grammenopoulos[141]
|
Zambia |
|
Country | Formal relations began | Notes |
---|---|---|
Argentina | 20 May 1968 and 3 June 1968 |
|
Belize | 21 July 2000 |
|
Brazil | July 21, 1964 | |
Canada | See Canada–Cyprus relations
Canadian bilateral political relations with Cyprus stemmed initially from Cypriot Commonwealth membership at independence in 1960 (that had followed a guerrilla struggle with Britain). These relations quickly expanded in 1964 when Canada became a major troop contributor to UNFICYP. The participation lasted for the next 29 years, during which 50,000 Canadian soldiers served and 28 were killed. In large measure Canadian relations with Cyprus continue to revolve around support for the ongoing efforts of the United Nations, G8 and others to resolve the Island's divided status. Contacts with Cyprus on other issues also take place in international organizations such as the UN, the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe and the Commonwealth of Nations. | |
Colombia | 25 January 1966 and 14 May 1970 |
|
Dominica | 13 June 2001 | Both countries are members of the Commonwealth of Nations. A Joint Communiqué on the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations between the Republic of Cyprus and the Commonwealth of Dominica was signed on the 13 June 2001 in New York[156] |
Guyana | 11 February 1972 |
|
Mexico | 20 February 1974 | See Cyprus–Mexico relations |
Peru | 19 September 1966 | |
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines | 2 August 2006 |
|
Trinidad and Tobago |
| |
United States | 16 August 1960 | See Cyprus–United States relations
|
Country | Formal relations began | Notes |
---|---|---|
Armenia | 18 March 1992 | See Armenia–Cyprus relations
|
China | 14 December 1971 | See China–Cyprus relations |
Georgia | 9 July 1992 | See Cyprus–Georgia relations
|
India | 10 February 1962 | See Cyprus–India relations
|
Indonesia | 4 December 1987 | |
Iran | 1960s |
|
Israel | 17 August 1960 | See Cyprus–Israel relations
In the case of Israel, Cyprus has occasionally outwardly backed the Palestinians in the Arab–Israeli conflict, to the annoyance of some in the Israeli government. Cyprus, like over 100 other countries, officially recognizes Palestine as a de facto state. The island is also host to a number of Palestinian and Lebanese refugees. Relations between the two countries continued to suffer when Cypriot first lady Antroulla Vasiliou, the wife of the then President George Vasiliou, was declared persona non grata in Israel when a delegation she was leading attempted to meet with Yasser Arafat, who was under house arrest. Controversy and public outcry arose in the early 2000s, when members of the Cypriot branch of the Greek Orthodox Church were accused of selling church-owned land in the West Bank to Israeli developers, putting Cypriot commitment to the Palestinian cause at question. The expulsion of two alleged Israeli spies from the island in 1998 also caused tension between the two governments. The two countries now appear to be on improving terms, there has been coopertation on numerous areas but mostly on agriculture, military and tourism. The Cypriot government has also been reported to be making deals with both Israel and Egypt in exploring for oil off the southern Cyprus coast. Israeli foreign minister Avigdor Lieberman visited Cyprus at the invitation of his Cypriot counterpart when Netanyahu was in Washington for the direct talks with the Palestinian leader. Lieberman and Cypriot foreign minister Kyprianou have met several times this year in an effort to strengthen relations between their countries.
|
Japan | 11 May 1962 |
|
Jordan | 11 January 1962 |
|
Kazakhstan | 2 April 1992 |
|
Kyrgyzstan | 20 February 1992 |
|
Kuwait | 3 May 2005 | See Cyprus–Kuwait relations
|
Lebanon | 20 September 1960 |
|
Maldives | 1 November 1987 | |
Mongolia | 19 December 1973 and 19 December 1979 | |
Oman | 1978 |
|
Palestine | 1988 | See Cyprus–Palestine relations
|
Qatar | 21 February 2001 | See Cyprus–Qatar relations
|
Saudi Arabia | See Cyprus–Saudi Arabia relations
| |
Sri Lanka | March 1981 |
|
Syria | See Cyprus–Syria relations
| |
Tajikistan | 27 February 1992 |
|
Thailand | 5 May 1980 | |
Turkey | Suspended | Turkey does not recognize the government of the Republic of Cyprus, stating that the Republic—as established by the Constitution of 1960—ceased to exist when the intercommunal violence that commenced in December 1963 ended Turkish Cypriot participation in the Cypriot government. The attempted coup in July 1974—engineered by Greek Military Junta—was responded to by Turkey by a full military invasion, which resulted in the northern third of the island being occupied by Turkish military forces. This portion of Cyprus unilaterally declared independence in November 1983 as the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), which only Turkey recognizes. Turkey refers to the Republic of Cyprus government as the "Greek Administration of Southern Cyprus".[188]
Cyprus takes the view that the TRNC government is a puppet administration, and thus prefers to negotiate with Turkey over the resolution of the Cyprus Problem. Turkey insists that the TRNC government is the institution that the RoC government must refer to in negotiations. Cyprus' accession to the European Union has had a negative impact on Turkey in regards to its own accession negotiations. The refusal of Turkey to allow Cypriot-flagged ships to access Turkish ports has resulted in a partial suspension of its accession negotiations.
|
United Arab Emirates | 12 April 1978 and 6 June 2007 | See Cyprus–United Arab Emirates relations |
Vietnam | 29 November 1975 | Cyprus is represented in Vietnam through its embassy in New Delhi, India. Vietnam is represented in Cyprus through its embassy in Tripoli, Libya. |
Cyprus' 1990 application for full EU membership caused a storm in the Turkish Cypriot community, which argued that the move required their consent. Following the December 1997 EU Summit decisions on EU enlargement, accession negotiations began 31 March 1998. Cyprus joined the European Union on 1 May 2004. To fulfil its commitment as a member of the European Union, Cyprus withdrew from the Non-Aligned Movement on accession, retaining observer status.
Country | Formal relations began | Notes |
---|---|---|
Albania | 28 August 1991 |
|
Austria | See Austria–Cyprus relations
| |
Belgium | 1960 |
|
Bulgaria | 30 October 1960 | See Bulgaria–Cyprus relations
|
Croatia | 4 February 1993 | See Croatia–Cyprus relations
|
Czech Republic | 1 February 1961 and 1 January 1993 | See Cyprus–Czech Republic relations
|
Denmark | 2 November 1960 | See Cyprus–Denmark relations
|
Estonia | 20 December 1991 |
|
Finland | 29 September 1961 | See Cyprus–Finland relations
|
France | 16 August 1960 | See Cyprus–France relations
|
Germany | 20 August 1960 | See Cyprus–Germany relations
|
Greece | 16 August 1960 |
|
Hungary | 18 October 1960 |
|
Iceland | 4 September 1979 | |
Ireland | 23 November 1984 | See Cyprus–Ireland relations
|
Italy | 1960 |
|
Latvia | ||
Lithuania | 3 December 1992 |
|
Luxembourg |
| |
Malta | 13 September 1972 | See Cyprus–Malta relations
|
Moldova | 21 February 1992 | |
Monaco | 24 February 2011 | |
Montenegro | 12 March 2007 | See Cyprus–Montenegro relations
|
Netherlands | 1960 | See Cyprus–Netherlands relations
|
Norway | 22 March 1963 | See Cyprus–Norway relations
Cyprus–Norway relations are foreign relations between Cyprus and Norway. Diplomatic relations were established on 22 March 1963.[209] The government in Cyprus considers that "bilateral relations between Cyprus and Norway are excellent in all fields".[210] Neither country has resident ambassadors. Cyprus is represented in Norway through its embassy in Stockholm, Sweden, and 2 honorary consulates, one in Oslo and the second in Kristiansand. Norway is represented in Cyprus through its embassy in Athens, Greece, and an honorary consulate in Nicosia.[211] Both countries are full members of the Council of Europe. Diplomatic relations were established on 22 March 1963.[210] On 21 August 1951, there was a Consular Convention and an Exchange of Letters relating to establishing diplomatic relations. On 2 May 1951, there was a Convention for the Avoidance of Double Taxation and the Prevention of Fiscal Evasion with respect to Taxes on Income. On 17 May 1962, there was an Exchange of Letters constituting an Agreement on the Abolition of Visa Requirement in Nicosia. On 5 March 1963, there was an Agreement on Commercial Scheduled Air Transport signed in London.[212] The taxation levels in Cyprus are considerably lower than in Norway, and Cyprus has actively courted Norwegians to move to Cyprus.[213] Among the Norwegians who moved to Cyprus is the shipping billionaire John Fredriksen, who was the richest man in Norway.[214][215][216] In 1996 tax rules in Norway were changed to keep shipping companies competitive and under the Norwegian flag. By 2008 changes to the tonnage tax regime to harmonize them with the European Union forced some companies to register in Cyprus.[217] Norwegian Service rig company Prosafe moved their headquarters to Cyprus.[218] Several Norwegian retirees also moved to Cyprus; this too is largely to benefit from the lower tax rate on Cyprus and the minimal crime.[219] |
Poland | 15 January 1961 | See Cyprus–Poland relations
|
Portugal | 5 March 1975 |
|
Romania | 15 November 1960 |
|
Russia | 18 August 1960 | See Cyprus–Russia relations
|
Serbia | 7 October 1960 | See Cyprus–Serbia relations
|
Slovakia | 1 January 1993 |
|
Slovenia | 10 December 1992 | See Cyprus–Slovenia relations
|
Spain | 25 December 1967 | See Cyprus–Spain relations
|
Sweden | 12 December 1960 | See Cyprus–Sweden relations
|
Switzerland | ||
Ukraine | 19 February 1992 | |
United Kingdom | 16 August 1960 | See Cyprus–United Kingdom relationsCyprus established diplomatic relations with the United Kingdom on 16 August 1960.
|
Country | Formal relations began | Notes |
---|---|---|
Australia | ||
Fiji | 1978 |
|
New Zealand |
| |
Papua New Guinea | 31 March 1978 |
|
Solomon Islands | May 5, 2010 |
|
Vanuatu | 26 February 1990 |
|
The Republic of Cyprus maintains diplomatic relations with 179 states (including the Holy See and Palestinian National Authority) and is United Nations, Union for the Mediterranean and European Union full member. It does not maintain diplomatic relations with:[237][238]
The 1974 invasion of the Turkish army divided the island nation into two. The internationally recognised Republic of Cyprus currently has effective control in the south of the island (59% of the island's land area) while its area not under its effective control makes up 37% of the island. Turkey utilising the territory occupied during the invasion recognizes a declared separatist[240] UDI of Turkish Cypriots in 1983, contrary to multiple United Nations Security Council Resolutions. The two territories of the Republic are separated by a United Nations Buffer Zone (4% of the island); there are two UK sovereign base areas mostly within the Greek Cypriot portion of the island.
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