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]

Historical non-alignment

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.

Thumb
Cyprus former President Makarios III at a state visit in Munich with the German Chancellor in 1962
Thumb
Foreign Ministers of the European Union countries in Limassol during Cyprus Presidency of the EU in 2012

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.

Thumb
Cyprus representations abroad
  resident embassy
  non-resident embassy
  diplomatic relations only, but no mission

  states that don't recognise the Republic of Cyprus

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.

Diplomatic relations

List of countries which Cyprus maintains diplomatic relations with:

More information #, Country ...
Thumb
# 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]
Close

Bilateral relations

Multilateral

More information Organization, Formal Relations Began ...
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 Union
Cyprus joined the European Union as a full member on 1 May 2004.
 NATO See Cyprus–NATO relations
Cyprus is not a member of NATO.
Close

Africa

More information Country, Formal relations began ...
Country Formal relations began Notes
 Algeria3 April 1979 See Algeria–Cyprus relations
 Burundi
 ComorosCyprus is represented in Comoros by its embassy in Pretoria.[119]
 Egypt30 September 1960, severed diplomatic relations 21 February 1978, restored 30 May 1984See Cyprus–Egypt relations
Egypt 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.
  • Cyprus has an embassy in Cairo.
  • Egypt has an embassy in Nicosia.
 Eswatini
 Lesotho25 February 2004
 Libya8 November 1973 See Cyprus–Libya relations
 Madagascar
 Malawi22 June 2000
 Mauritania
  • Cyprus is represented in Mauritania by its embassy in Tripoli.[128]
  • Mauritania is represented in Cyprus by its embassy in Rome.[129]
 MauritiusFebruary 1, 2001[130]
 Morocco1979
 Namibia
 Seychelles1 July 1976
 South AfricaDecember 10, 1993
 Togo24 September 2015 Cyprus is represented in Togo by its embassy in Paris, France.[140]
 Tunisia5 November 1999
 Uganda1 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]
  • Both countries have established diplomatic relations and have signed an Agreement for Cooperation in the Field of Tourism.[142]
  • Both countries are full members of the Commonwealth of Nations.
 Zambia
Close

Americas

More information Country, Formal relations began ...
Country Formal relations began Notes
 Argentina20 May 1968 and 3 June 1968
 Belize21 July 2000
  • Both countries established diplomatic relations on July 21, 2000.[149]
  • Cyprus is represented in Belize through its embassy in Mexico City, Mexico.[120]
  • Both countries are members of the Commonwealth of Nations.
 BrazilJuly 21, 1964
 CanadaSee 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.

  • Canada is accredited to Cyprus from its embassy in Athens, Greece and an honorary consulate in Nicosia.[153]
  • Cyprus has a High Commission in Ottawa and an honorary consulate in Vancouver.[154]
 Colombia25 January 1966 and 14 May 1970
  • Colombia is represented in Cyprus through its embassy in Rome, Italy.
  • Cyprus is represented in Colombia through its embassy in Mexico City, Mexico.
  • In 2010, both Ministers of Foreign Affairs signed a cooperation agreement regarding tourism and the war on drugs.[155]
 Dominica13 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]
 Guyana11 February 1972
 Mexico20 February 1974 See Cyprus–Mexico relations
  • Cyprus does not have an accreditation to Mexico.
  • Mexico is accredited to Cyprus from its embassy in Athens, Greece and maintains an honorary consulate in Nicosia.[158]
 Peru19 September 1966
  • Both countries established diplomatic relations in 1966.[159]
  • Cyprus is represented in Peru through its embassy in Brasilia, Brazil.[125]
 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines2 August 2006
 Trinidad and Tobago
 United States16 August 1960See Cyprus–United States relations
Thumb
Cyprus president Dimitris Christofias and Cyprus first lady with U.S. President Barack Obama and Michelle Obama
Close

Asia

More information Country, Formal relations began ...
Country Formal relations began Notes
 Armenia18 March 1992See Armenia–Cyprus relations
 China14 December 1971See China–Cyprus relations
 Georgia9 July 1992See Cyprus–Georgia relations
 India10 February 1962See Cyprus–India relations
 Indonesia4 December 1987
  • Diplomatic relations were established on December 4, 1987[167][168]
  • Cyprus reopened its embassy in Jakarta in October 2023.[169]
  • Indonesia is represented in Cyprus through its embassy in Rome, Italy.[170]
 Iran1960s
 Israel17 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.

 Japan11 May 1962
 Jordan11 January 1962
 Kazakhstan2 April 1992
 Kyrgyzstan20 February 1992
 Kuwait3 May 2005 See Cyprus–Kuwait relations
  • Cyprus has an embassy in Kuwait City.
  • Kuwait has an embassy in Nicosia.
 Lebanon20 September 1960
 Maldives1 November 1987
 Mongolia19 December 1973 and 19 December 1979
  • Both countries established diplomatic relations on December 19, 1973.[179][180]
  • Cyprus is represented in Mongolia through its embassy in Beijing, China.[125]
  • Mongolia is represented in Cyprus through its embassy in Sofia, Bulgaria[181]
 Oman1978
 Palestine1988 See Cyprus–Palestine relations
 Qatar21 February 2001 See Cyprus–Qatar relations
 Saudi Arabia See Cyprus–Saudi Arabia relations
  • Cyprus is represented through its honorary consulate in Jeddah.
  • Saudi Arabia is represented through its embassy in Nicosia.
  • Both countries are members of the United Nations.
 Sri LankaMarch 1981
 Syria See Cyprus–Syria relations
 Tajikistan27 February 1992
 Thailand5 May 1980
 TurkeySuspended 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 Emirates12 April 1978 and 6 June 2007 See Cyprus–United Arab Emirates relations
  • Cyprus has an embassy in Abu Dhabi
  • United Arab Emirates has an embassy in Nicosia
 Vietnam29 November 1975Cyprus is represented in Vietnam through its embassy in New Delhi, India. Vietnam is represented in Cyprus through its embassy in Tripoli, Libya.
Close

Europe

Thumb
Cyprus embassy in Stockholm
Thumb
Cyprus embassy in Moscow

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.

More information Country, Formal relations began ...
Country Formal relations began Notes
 Albania28 August 1991
  • Both countries established diplomatic relations on 28 August 1991.[189]
  • Albania is represented in Cyprus by its embassy in Athens, Greece[190] and an honorary consulate in Larnaca.[191]
  • Cyprus is represented in Albania by its embassy in Athens, Greece[120][192] and an honorary consulate in Tirana.[193]
  • Both countries have a number of bilateral agreements.[189]
 AustriaSee Austria–Cyprus relations
  • Austria has an embassy in Nicosia.
  • Cyprus has an embassy in Vienna.
  • Austria joined the European Union as a full member on 1 January 1995, while Cyprus joined on 1 May 2004.
 Belgium1960
 Bulgaria30 October 1960See Bulgaria–Cyprus relations
 Croatia4 February 1993 See Croatia–Cyprus relations
 Czech Republic1 February 1961 and 1 January 1993See Cyprus–Czech Republic relations
 Denmark2 November 1960See Cyprus–Denmark relations
 Estonia20 December 1991
 Finland29 September 1961 See Cyprus–Finland relations
 France16 August 1960 See Cyprus–France relations
 Germany20 August 1960See Cyprus–Germany relations
 Greece16 August 1960
  • See Cyprus–Greece relations
  • Cyprus has an embassy in Athens and a consulate-general in Thessaloniki.
  • Greece has an embassy in Nicosia.
  • Both countries are full members of the European Union and of the Council of Europe.
  • The Greek Cypriot majority in Cyprus and the ethnic Greek population of Greece share a common ethnicity, heritage, language, and religion, leading to an exceptionally close relationship between the two countries.
 Hungary18 October 1960
IcelandIceland4 September 1979
Republic of Ireland Ireland23 November 1984See Cyprus–Ireland relations
 Italy1960
 Latvia
  • Cyprus is represented in Latvia through its embassy in Stockholm (Sweden).
  • Latvia is represented in Cyprus through its embassy in Athens (Greece). and an honorary consulates in Limassol.
  • Both countries became members of the European Union on 1 May 2004.
 Lithuania3 December 1992
 Luxembourg
  • Cyprus is represented to Luxembourg through its accredited embassy in The Hague (Netherlands).
  • Luxembourg is represented to Cyprus through its accredited embassy in Athens (Greece).
  • Both countries are full members of the European Union.
 Malta13 September 1972 See Cyprus–Malta relations
 Moldova21 February 1992
 Monaco24 February 2011
 Montenegro12 March 2007 See Cyprus–Montenegro relations
 Netherlands1960 See Cyprus–Netherlands relations
 Norway22 March 1963See 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]

 Poland15 January 1961See Cyprus–Poland relations
 Portugal5 March 1975
 Romania15 November 1960
 Russia18 August 1960See Cyprus–Russia relations
Thumb
Presidents of Russia and Cyprus meet at least once every year.
  • The USSR established diplomatic relations with the newly independent Republic of Cyprus on 18 August 1960.
  • Cooperation between both countries has increased since the 1990s and the fall of the USSR.
  • Cyprus has an embassy in Moscow and consulates-general in Krasnodar, Saint Petersburg, Samara and in Yekaterinburg.
  • Russia has an embassy in Nicosia.
 Serbia7 October 1960See Cyprus–Serbia relations
 Slovakia1 January 1993
 Slovenia10 December 1992 See Cyprus–Slovenia relations
 Spain25 December 1967 See Cyprus–Spain relations
 Sweden12 December 1960See Cyprus–Sweden relations
  Switzerland
  • Cyprus is represented in Switzerland through its embassy in Rome (Italy).
  • Switzerland has an embassy in Nicosia.
 Ukraine19 February 1992
 United Kingdom16 August 1960See Cyprus–United Kingdom relations
Cyprus established diplomatic relations with the United Kingdom on 16 August 1960.
  • Cyprus maintains a high commission in London, and honorary consulates in Belfast, Birmingham, Bristol, Dunblane, Glasgow, and Leeds.[231]
  • The United Kingdom is accredited to Cyprus through its high commission in Nicosia.[232]
The UK governed Cyprus from 1878 until 1960, when it achieved full independence.
The UK maintains the two sovereign base areas of Akrotiri and Dhekelia on the island of Cyprus.
Both countries share common membership of the Commonwealth, the Council of Europe, the International Criminal Court, the OSCE, and the World Trade Organization. The UK is a "guarantor power" of Cyprus's independence.
Close

Oceania

More information Country, Formal relations began ...
Country Formal relations began Notes
 Australia
  • Australia has a High Commission in Nicosia.[233]
  • Cyprus has a High Commission in Canberra.[234]
 Fiji1978
 New Zealand
 Papua New Guinea31 March 1978
 Solomon IslandsMay 5, 2010
  • Both countries established diplomatic relations on May 5, 2010.[236]
  • Cyprus is represented in the Solomon Islands via parallel accreditation of its High Commission in Canberra, Australia.[120]
  • Both countries are full members of the Commonwealth of Nations.
 Vanuatu26 February 1990
Close

Multilateral relations

Overview

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 Republic of Cyprus is not recognised by  Turkey.[239]

International disputes

Thumb
Condoleezza Rice by US ambassadors in Larnaca International Airport, Cyprus

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.

See also

References

Wikiwand in your browser!

Seamless Wikipedia browsing. On steroids.

Every time you click a link to Wikipedia, Wiktionary or Wikiquote in your browser's search results, it will show the modern Wikiwand interface.

Wikiwand extension is a five stars, simple, with minimum permission required to keep your browsing private, safe and transparent.