Cyprus (Greek) » International Relations

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Cyprus Relations with Neighbours

Greece, Turkey and the UK became joint Guarantor Powers of the Republic of Cyprus through the Treaty of Guarantee (1960). Both Greece and Turkey play an important role in Cyprus and relations with these two countries dominate Cypriot politics.

The continued division of Cyprus means that relations can be tense, although they are improving. At the December 2002 Copenhagen European Council, Cyprus was formally invited to join the EU. Cyprus signed the Treaty of Accession on 16 April 2004, and became a full member of the EU on 1 May 2004 (although the acquisition is suspended in the north of the island).

Cyprus and the UK have a long-standing and wide-ranging bilateral relationship, based on historical ties and now strengthened through EU Membership. The UK has remained fully supportive of efforts to achieve a resolution of the Cyprus problem. Over 300,000 Greek and Turkish Cypriots live permanently in the UK and over 4,000 students from Cyprus come to the UK to take up full time education. Many British citizens have chosen to retire to Cyprus and many thousands more visit the island each year.

Trade and Investment with the UK

Traditionally the UK has been the single most significant trading partner for Cyprus. In 2003 Cyprus was ranked in the top 51 British worldwide exports league table for exports from the UK. The value of UK exports to Cyprus in 2004 were GB£ 302 million. At the same time Cyprus exports to UK in 2004 reached GB£186 million.