Estonia and Cyprus

Bilateral relations

The Republic of Cyprus recognised the Republic of Estonia on 12 September 1991 and diplomatic relations were established on 22 January 1992.

The ambassador of Cyprus to Estonia is Filippos K. Kritiotis (since 31 March 2011), who resides in Helsinki.

The first Cypriot ambassador accredited to Estonia was Tasos Panayides (1994-1996, residing in Stockholm). Cyprus opened its Embassy in Helsinki in May 1999; following that the ambassador residing in Helsinki began to cover Estonia as of 2000.

Estonian ambassadors to Cyprus:

• Andres Talvik (as of 20 October 2009, residing in Athens)
• Peep Jahilo (2007-2009, residing in Athens)
• Andres Unga (2004-2007, residing in Athens)
• Jaak Jõerüüt (1994-2004, residing in Rome, later in Tallinn)

Estonia's honorary consul in the Republic of Cyprus since 1997 is Michael H. Zampelas (who earned the 3rd class Order of the Cross of Terra Mariana in 2005). Estonia's vice honorary consul in Nicosia as of 2004 is George Loizou.

Visits

The parliaments of Cyprus and Estonia maintain good contacts:

April 2005 - Visit to Cyprus of the Cyprian friendship group of the Riigikogu;
October 2004 - A delegation of the Cypriot Foreign Affairs Committee visited Estonia;
February 2002 - A delegation of the Riigikogu’s Foreign Affairs Committee visited Cyprus.

Bilateral Relations

Bilateral relations between Estonia and Cyprus are very good. The two geographically separated small nations share a similar understanding of an open and entrepreneurial society. The positive contacts developed during EU accession negotiations have given a strong base to the development of bilateral relations.

Agreements

• Agreement on Co-operation in the Field of Tourism (came into force 12 December 1996);
• Agreement on Co-operation in the Field of Public Health and Medical Science (came into force 15 April 1998);
• Agreement on Abolition of Visa Requirement (came into force 11 June 1998);
• Aviation Agreement (came into force 24 July 1998);
• Agreement on International Road Transport (came into force 18 February 2000);
• Agreement on Economic, Scientific, Technical and Industrial Co-operation (came into force 16 July 2001);
• Agreement on the Fight Against Organised Crime and Other Forms of Crime (came into force 20 June 2004);
• Agreement on Cultural and Educational Co-operation (came into force 15 February 2005);
• Agreement on Co-operation in Trade and Chambers of Industry (signed 8 January 2004);
• Agreement Between Estonia and Cyprus for the Avoidance of Double Taxation in Income and Capital Taxes and the Prevention of Tax Evasion (signed 17 October 2012);
• Agreement on the Reciprocal Protection of Classified Information (signed 27 November 2012)

Economic Relations

Economic relations between Estonia and Cyprus have developed from year to year. The main economic agreements between Estonia and Cyprus have helped to create favourable conditions for economic co-operation.

Trade between Estonia and Cyprus 2006-2012 (in million euros):

Source: Estonian Statistical Office

 

In 2012, Cyprus ranked as Estonia’s 53rd trade partner with a proportion of 0.1% of Estonia’s total trade. Total trade turnover was 16.6 million euros. Export was 9 million, import totalled 7.6 million, and the balance was 1.4 million.

Main articles of export to Cyprus in 2012:

• Transport vehicles  – 47%
• Metals and metal products – 20.4%
• Machinery and equipment – 11.1%

Main articles of import from Cyprus in 2012:

• Plastics and plastic products – 31.6%
• Machinery and equipment – 20.1%
• Mineral products – 15.5%
• Chemical products – 12.7%

Investments

Although trade between Estonia and Cyprus is modest, Cyprus ranks 3rd as a destination for Estonian direct investments, and investments from Cyprus are in 6th place in Estonia (as of 30 September 2012).

According to data from the Bank of Estonia, as of 30 September 2012 Estonia’s direct investment position in Cyprus was  694.2 million euros (17.6% of all Estonia’s direct investments abroad). The primary sectors for investments are transport and inventory, financial and insurance activity, and wholesale and retail trade.

Direct investments from Cyprus in Estonia as of the same date totalled  413.8 million euros (3% of all direct investments in Estonia). The primary sectors for investments are the manufacturing industry, administrative and aid activity, real estate, financial  and insurance activity, wholesale and retail trade, and transport and inventory.

There are 126 businesses with Cypriot participation registered in Estonia as of 29 February 2012.

Cultural relations

From time to time it is possible to enjoy Estonian culture in Cyprus or experience a bit of Cypriot culture in Estonia.

In February of 2010 the Tobias String Quartet gave concerts in Nicosia and Paphos.
In 2003, an exhibition of paintings introducing Cyprus’s sacral culture was presented in Tallinn’s St. Nicholas’ Church.
In September 2000, the Estonian National Opera performed G. Bizet’s "Carmen" at the Aphrodite Festival in Cyprus.
 

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