Embassy of Cyprus in Sweden

Cyprus and Sweden maintain excellent bilateral relations in all fields: politics, tourism, trade, and culture. Bilateral relations have been particularly strengthened after Cyprus established an Embassy in Stockholm in 1994 and Sweden joined the European Union the year after.

Sweden is diplomatically represented in Cyprus by its Embassy in Nicosia, which opened on 26 November 2004. The two countries established diplomatic relations on 12 December 1960, soon after Cyprus gained its independence from Great Britain.

Sweden has been one of the first countries that sent UN peacekeepers to the island in 1963 following the bi-communal upheaval of that year and kept its peacekeeping forces there until 1993. Overall, it is estimated that about 28,000 Swedes have served as UN peacekeepers in Cyprus during a valuable 30-year presence of Sweden in Cyprus, under UNFICYP Mission (United Nations Force In Cyprus). This is a major factor that explains why Cyprus has become so familiar to many Swedes and undoubtedly it has contributed to the formation of a positive profile of Cyprus in Sweden.

It is noteworthy that an archaelogical mission has also closely linked Sweden with Cyprus. From 1927 to 1931 a four-person archaeological mission from Stockholm under Einar Gjerstad undertook extensive excavations, mainly in the area of Agia Eirini village in Cyprus. The outcome was impressive: almost 18.000 objects came to light after thousands of years, while more than half of them are being kept in the Mediterranean Museum of Stockholm to remind every visitor, Swede and foreigner, of the rich history and culture of the Mediterranean island of Cyprus.

Lastly, the accession of Cyprus to the European Union as of 1 May 2004, will enhance further the bilateral relations between Cyprus and Sweden.

1. Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Cyprus and the Government of the Kingdom of Sweden for the abolition of visas (01.02.1963).

2. Agreement between the Republic of Cyprus and the Kingdom of Sweden on Commercial Scheduled Air Transport (26.01.1963).

3. Agreement between the Postal Administration (Ministry of Communications and Works) of the Republic of Cyprus and the Postal Administration of Sweden regarding the Exchange of Money Orders (06.12.1976).

4. Convention between the Government of the Republic of Cyprus and the Government of the Kingdom of Sweden for the avoidance of double taxation with respect to taxes on income (25.10.1988).

5. Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Cyprus and the Government of the Kingdom of Sweden on the International Carriage of Passengers and Goods by Road (20.09.1993).