Cyprus–Russia relations
Encyclopedia
Cypriot–Russian relations refers to bilateral
foreign relations
between Cyprus
and Russia
. 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 Russia has an embassy in Nicosia
.
gained its independence from the United Kingdom
on 16 August 1960, the USSR recognised the newly independent state on 18 August 1960. After the dissolution of the Soviet Union
, Cyprus recognised the Russian Federation as the successor state of the former Union on 7 April 1992.
, who threatened to blockade the island to stop delivery, whilst not ruling out military action. Michael Barletta suggested that the Russians may have made the sale as a rebuke to NATO, which had continued to expand the alliance against Russian objections. He continued to say that the Russians may have been seen to encouraging conflict between NATO allies, which would create opposition to the continued expansion of the alliance, whilst demonstrating that Russia would not accept its security and political interests being ignored by the United States
. A spokesman for the Russian Foreign Ministry stated that the deal was on a pure commercial basis, and rejected notions that the deal may be responsible for tensions on Cyprus, whilst pointing out that Russia had proposed demilitarisation of the island. Despite objections from some quarters, Russian Foreign Minister Yevgeny Primakov
stated in February 1998 that Russia was intent on delivering the missiles to the Cypriots, and noted that they are defensive weapons.
s from Cyprus are in fact, Russian capitals hidden offshore for tax and legal protection purposes.
The cooperation with other Russian regions - Tatarstan
, St.Petersburg, Krasnodar Region develops steadily. On March 22, 2005 the Memorandum on Cooperation between the Ministry of Trade and Economic Cooperation of the Republic of Tatarstan and the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Tourism of the Republic of Cyprus was signed.
" in the United States. One of the suspects, Christopher R. Metsos, was detained on June 29th 2010 while attempting to depart from Cyprus for Budapest
, but was released on bail and then disappeared. The Guardian wrote that "his disappearance has highlighted Cyprus's close ties to Russia, and the potential that Moscow helped him escape from the Mediterranean island".
and President Demetris Christofias met in Nicosia
in 10 October,2010 discussed a wide range of issues, including cooperation in the economy, finance, tourism and humanitarian sphere. Dmitry Medvedev also took part in the Cyprus-Russia Business Forum .
Bilateralism
Bilateralism consists of the political, economic, or cultural relations between two sovereign states. For example, free trade agreements signed by two states are examples of bilateral treaties. It is in contrast to unilateralism or multilateralism, which refers to the conduct of diplomacy by a...
foreign relations
Diplomacy
Diplomacy is the art and practice of conducting negotiations between representatives of groups or states...
between Cyprus
Cyprus
Cyprus , officially the Republic of Cyprus , is a Eurasian island country, member of the European Union, in the Eastern Mediterranean, east of Greece, south of Turkey, west of Syria and north of Egypt. It is the third largest island in the Mediterranean Sea.The earliest known human activity on the...
and Russia
Russia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
. 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
Embassy of Cyprus in Moscow
The Embassy of Cyprus in Moscow is the chief diplomatic mission of Cyprus in the Russian Federation. It is located at 9 Povarskaya Street in the Arbat district of Moscow- External links :...
and Russia has an embassy in Nicosia
Nicosia
Nicosia from , known locally as Lefkosia , is the capital and largest city in Cyprus, as well as its main business center. Nicosia is the only divided capital in the world, with the southern and the northern portions divided by a Green Line...
.
Political relations
When CyprusCyprus
Cyprus , officially the Republic of Cyprus , is a Eurasian island country, member of the European Union, in the Eastern Mediterranean, east of Greece, south of Turkey, west of Syria and north of Egypt. It is the third largest island in the Mediterranean Sea.The earliest known human activity on the...
gained its independence from the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
on 16 August 1960, the USSR recognised the newly independent state on 18 August 1960. After the dissolution of the Soviet Union
Dissolution of the Soviet Union
The dissolution of the Soviet Union was the disintegration of the federal political structures and central government of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics , resulting in the independence of all fifteen republics of the Soviet Union between March 11, 1990 and December 25, 1991...
, Cyprus recognised the Russian Federation as the successor state of the former Union on 7 April 1992.
Military relations
In January 1997 Cyprus signed an agreement with Rosvooruzheniye for the sale and delivery of 40 S-300PMU-1 missiles. The sale, valued at US$200 million, caused tensions with TurkeyTurkey
Turkey , known officially as the Republic of Turkey , is a Eurasian country located in Western Asia and in East Thrace in Southeastern Europe...
, who threatened to blockade the island to stop delivery, whilst not ruling out military action. Michael Barletta suggested that the Russians may have made the sale as a rebuke to NATO, which had continued to expand the alliance against Russian objections. He continued to say that the Russians may have been seen to encouraging conflict between NATO allies, which would create opposition to the continued expansion of the alliance, whilst demonstrating that Russia would not accept its security and political interests being ignored by the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. A spokesman for the Russian Foreign Ministry stated that the deal was on a pure commercial basis, and rejected notions that the deal may be responsible for tensions on Cyprus, whilst pointing out that Russia had proposed demilitarisation of the island. Despite objections from some quarters, Russian Foreign Minister Yevgeny Primakov
Yevgeny Primakov
Yevgeny Maksimovich Primakov is a Russian politician and diplomat. During his long career, he served as the Russian Foreign Minister, Prime Minister of Russia, Speaker of the Soviet of the Union of the Supreme Soviet of the Soviet Union, and chief of intelligence service...
stated in February 1998 that Russia was intent on delivering the missiles to the Cypriots, and noted that they are defensive weapons.
Economic relations
Cyprus is officially the third largest foreign investor in the Russian economy; most of foreign direct investmentForeign direct investment
Foreign direct investment or foreign investment refers to the net inflows of investment to acquire a lasting management interest in an enterprise operating in an economy other than that of the investor.. It is the sum of equity capital,other long-term capital, and short-term capital as shown in...
s from Cyprus are in fact, Russian capitals hidden offshore for tax and legal protection purposes.
The cooperation with other Russian regions - Tatarstan
Tatarstan
The Republic of Tatarstan is a federal subject of Russia located in the Volga Federal District. Its capital is the city of Kazan, which is one of Russia's largest and most prosperous cities. The republic borders with Kirov, Ulyanovsk, Samara, and Orenburg Oblasts, and with the Mari El, Udmurt,...
, St.Petersburg, Krasnodar Region develops steadily. On March 22, 2005 the Memorandum on Cooperation between the Ministry of Trade and Economic Cooperation of the Republic of Tatarstan and the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Tourism of the Republic of Cyprus was signed.
Russian intelligence operations in Cyprus
In 2010 U.S. authorities cracked down on Russian "Illegals ProgramIllegals Program
The Illegals Program, as it was called by the United States Department of Justice, was a network of Russian sleeper agents under non-official cover whose investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation culminated in the arrest of ten agents and a prisoner swap between Russia and the United...
" in the United States. One of the suspects, Christopher R. Metsos, was detained on June 29th 2010 while attempting to depart from Cyprus for Budapest
Budapest
Budapest is the capital of Hungary. As the largest city of Hungary, it is the country's principal political, cultural, commercial, industrial, and transportation centre. In 2011, Budapest had 1,733,685 inhabitants, down from its 1989 peak of 2,113,645 due to suburbanization. The Budapest Commuter...
, but was released on bail and then disappeared. The Guardian wrote that "his disappearance has highlighted Cyprus's close ties to Russia, and the potential that Moscow helped him escape from the Mediterranean island".
State visit by Russian president to Cyprus
Dmitry MedvedevDmitry Medvedev
Dmitry Anatolyevich Medvedev is the third President of the Russian Federation.Born to a family of academics, Medvedev graduated from the Law Department of Leningrad State University in 1987. He defended his dissertation in 1990 and worked as a docent at his alma mater, now renamed to Saint...
and President Demetris Christofias met in Nicosia
Nicosia
Nicosia from , known locally as Lefkosia , is the capital and largest city in Cyprus, as well as its main business center. Nicosia is the only divided capital in the world, with the southern and the northern portions divided by a Green Line...
in 10 October,2010 discussed a wide range of issues, including cooperation in the economy, finance, tourism and humanitarian sphere. Dmitry Medvedev also took part in the Cyprus-Russia Business Forum .
See also
- Foreign relations of CyprusForeign relations of CyprusCyprus is a member of the United Nations along with most of its agencies as well as the Commonwealth of Nations, World Bank, International Monetary Fund and Council of Europe...
- Foreign relations of RussiaForeign relations of RussiaThe foreign relations of Russia is the policy of the Russian government by which it guides the interactions with other nations, their citizens and foreign organizations and sets standards of interaction for Russian organizations, corporations and individual citizens towards them...
- Russians in CyprusRussians in CyprusThere are 4,952 people of Russian origin living in Cyprus. Mostly in Larnaca, Limassol and Paphos. Most of them arrived in Cyprus in the 1990s. Press reports in 2011 state now over 100,000 people of Russian origin living in Cyprus.-See also:* Russians...