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Bilateral relations

Israel-Cyprus bilateral relations

The diplomatic relations between Israel and Cyprus, which were established with the declaration of independence of Cyprus in 1960, have greatly improved in the last decade. Israel has had a consulate general in Nicosia since 1950, which was upgraded to an embassy after the establishment of relations. Cyprus opened an embassy in Tel Aviv in 1994

The frequency of high-level contacts between the countries and the scope of the common fields of action illustrate the depth of the relations and their importance. At the center of the relationship are cooperation in the field of energy, emergency response (firefighting, medical issues), trilateral cooperation with Greece (‘Trilaterals'), as well as increasing cooperation in the security field.

In recent years, Cypriot public opinion views Israel as a stable regional power with values and interests similar to its own. 

1950
Israel-Cyprus relations: milestones

Appointment of Yerachmiel Ram Yaron as Israel’s first Consul General to Cyprus

1960
Israel-Cyprus relations: milestones

Telegram by the Foreign Minister Golda Meir to President Makarios, announcing that the State of Israel recognizes the Republic of Cyprus

1960
Israel-Cyprus relations: milestones

Inauguration of the Embassy of Israel in Nicosia. The first Ambassador of Israel to Cyprus was Zeev Levin.

1994
Israel-Cyprus relations: milestones

Opening of the Embassy of Cyprus in Tel Aviv. The first Ambassador to Israel was Andreas Pirishis (based in Nicosia).

2010
Israel-Cyprus relations: milestones

Signing by the Minister of Infrastructure Uzi Landau and the Foreign Minister Markos Kyprianou of the Agreement on the delimitation of the Exclusive Economic Zone.

2011
Visit by President Dimitris Christofias to Israel

Visit by President Dimitris Christofias to Israel; the first-ever official visit by a Cypriot head of state 

2011
2011 Peres in Cyprus

Visit by President Shimon Peres to Cyprus.

2011
Israel-Cyprus relations: milestones

Signing by the Minister of Public Security Avi Dichter and the Minister of Interior Eleni Mavrou of an MoU in the field of disaster management and civil protection.

2012
First visit by an Israeli PM to Cyprus

Visit by Prime Minister Netanyahu to Cyprus; the first visit by an Israeli Prime Minister 

2013
Inauguration of the Episkopi Desalination plant

Inauguration by President Nicos Anastasiades and the Minister of National Infrastructures, Energy & Water Silvan Shalom of the Episkopi Desalination plant launched by a joint Israeli-Cypriot consortium.

2013
Israel-Cyprus relations: milestones

Signing by the Chairman of the House of Representatives Yiannakis Omirou and the Knesset Speaker Yuli-Yoel Edelstein of a protocol of cooperation between the parliaments of Cyprus and Israel.

2019
commemorative plaque

Unveiling of a commemorative plaque at the site of the former British Military Hospital in Nicosia, at a ceremony marking the 70th anniversary of the closure of the Cyprus detention camps for Jewish refugees. 

2019
definition of Antisemitism, as employed by IHRA

Adoption by the Republic of Cyprus of the non-legally binding, working definition of Antisemitism, as employed by IHRA.

2021
MoU on scientific cooperation

Signing by the Deputy Minister of Research, Innovation and Digital Policy Kyriacos Kokkinos and the Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology Orit Farkash-Hacohen of an MoU on scientific cooperation. 

2023
crossover organ transplant

Conducting the first ever crossover organ transplant involving Cyprus and Israel

2023
commemorative edition post office

Joint press release by the Post Offices of Cyprus and Israel of a commemorative edition on the aerial firefighting cooperation between the two countries.

2023
netanyahu_sept_2023_in_cy

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visited Cyprus for bilateral meetings with President Christodoulides and for the Trilateral Summit with Greek Prime Minister Mitsotakis

2023
Christodoulides in Israel 2023

President Nikos Christodoulides arrived in Israel for a two-day working visit