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

The Cypriot Ambassador to Estonia Tasos Panayides assumed his duties in September 1994 while residing in Stockholm (1994-1996). In May 1999, Cyprus opened its Embassy in Helsinki. In January 2000, the first Cypriot Ambassador residing in Helsinki, Leonidas S. Markides, presented his credentials in Estonia. He left his post in December 2001. Since October 2002, the Cypriot Ambassador to Estonia has been Lorina Markides, who also resides in Helsinki.

Estonia's first Ambassador to Cyprus, Jaak J�er��t, presented his credentials in May 1999. He resided in Rome until June 2002. As of September 2004, the Estonian Ambassador to Cyprus is Andres Unga residing in Athens.

Estonia's Honorary Consul in the Republic of Cyprus is Michael H. Zampelas, the branch Chairman of Price Waterhouse Coopers Cyprus (as of July 1997). In December 2001, Zampelas was elected Mayor of Nicosia, the capital of Cyprus. Zampelas continues as the Honorary Consul of Estonia. Estonia's Vice-Consul in Nicosia is George Loizou (as of May 2004). On 23 February 2005, President Arnold R��tel in connection with the 87th anniversary of the Republic of Estonia conferred the 3rd class Order of the Cross of Terra Mariana on Honorary Consul Zampelas for promoting relations between Estonia and Cyprus.

Between Estonia and Cyprus, a visa free border crossing procedure is in force as of 11.06.1998.

Visits

To Cyprus
1992	A delegation of state officials, a joint protocol declaring the intent to conclude various economic agreements was signed
January 1998	Foreign Minister Toomas Hendrik Ilves
November 1998	Deputy Speaker of the Riigikogu Tunne Kelam
November 2000	Speaker of the Riigikogu Toomas Savi participated in the regular meeting of the President of the European Parliament and chairmen of the parliaments of candidate countries in Cyprus
October 2003	Chairman of the Riigikogu Ene Ergma
January 2004	President Arnold R��tel
October 2006	Prime Minister Andrus Ansip

To Estonia
September 1996	A delegation of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Tourism
September 1997	Foreign Minister Ioannis Kasoulides
December 1997	Minister of Health Christos Solomis
October 2004	President Tassos Papadopoulos
October 2006	Foreign Minister Georgios Lillikas

The parliaments of Cyprus and Estonia maintain good contacts:

November 1997 - A Cypriot delegation participated in the conference "Estonia and the EU" in Tallinn

November 2000 - Cypriot MPs participated in the international conference "Estonia and the EU: Estonia on its Way to a Changing Europe"

February 2002 - A delegation of the Riigikogu�s Foreign Affairs Committee visited Cyprus

October 2004 - A delegation of the Cypriot Foreign Affairs Committee visited Estonia

April 2005 - Visit to Cyprus of the Cyprian friendship group of the Riigikogu

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. During the EU accession negotiations, the rapidly developing small nations enjoyed open, friendly and information based co-operation. The contacts made during the negotiations have given a strong base to the development of bilateral relations, which has been characterised by mutual visits and education/culture based projects.

It is also important to mention relations at the municipal government level. In November 2003, the Mayor of Nicosia visited Tallinn, emphasising the importance of bilateral contacts and the sharing of experiences. His first priority was to adopt a similar, open, city resident communication system that is in use in Tallinn in Nicosia. The leaders of municipal governments also discussed the possibility of civil servant exchanges, student co-operation and how better introduce the respective cities to each other.

Agreements

• Agreement on Co-operation in the Field of Tourism (came into force12.12.96);
• Agreement on Co-operation in the Field of Public Health and Medical Science (came into force 15.04.98);
• Agreement on Abolition of Visa Requirement (came into force 11.06.98);
• Aviation Agreement (came into force 24.07.98);
• Agreement on International Road Transport (came into force 18.02.00);
• Agreement on Economic, Scientific, Technical and Industrial Co-operation (came into force 16.07.01);
• Agreement on the Fight Against Organised Crime and Other Forms of Crime (came into force 20.06.04);
• Agreement on Cultural and Educational Co-operation (signed 08.01.04).

Agreement in work: Agreement on the Avoidance of Double Taxation and on the Prevention of Tax Evasion.

Economic Relations

The main economic agreements between Estonia and Cyprus have helped to create favourable conditions for economic co-operation.

From 31.10 to 1.11.2005, in Nicosia the first session of the Estonia-Cyprus Intergovernmental Commission established under the Agreement on Economic, Scientific, Technical and Industrial Co-operation took place. During the talks, the analysing of the progress made by both countries in the field of economy and the finding of new opportunities of co-operation were focused on, also a lot of information of mutual interest was exchanged. The Cypriots are interested in the Estonian e-government and maritime affairs.

In 2005, Cyprus ranked 49th among Estonia's trade partners. In 2005, trade with Cyprus totalled 6.1 million EUR.

Cyprus is one of the countries with which Estonia enjoys a positive trade balance.

Main export articles in 2005:

• Mineral products - 53.0%
• Plastics and rubber products - 30.7%
• Machinery and equipment - 6.3%

The main import articles in 2005:

• Machinery and equipment - 26.2%
• Plastics and rubber products - 26.1%
• Other manufactured goods - 17.3%

INVESTMENTS

The mutual investments of Estonia and Cyprus are relatively large. As of 31 December 2005, Cypriot investments into Estonia totalled 75 million EUR. There are nine registered enterprises based on Cypriot capital in Estonia.

Estonia's investments into Cyprus as of 31 December 2005 totalled 148.7 million EUR. Estonia's investments into Cyprus make up 8.9% of the total volume of Estonia's foreign direct investments.

EXCHANGE OF BUSINESS MISSIONS

In September 1996, the Cypriot Chamber of Trade and Industry and the Estonian Chamber of Trade and Industry organized the business seminar "Cyprus - a Business Centre in the Middle East" in Tallinn.

In April 1999, the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Tourism of Cyprus, the Cypriot Chamber of Trade and Industry and the Estonian Chamber of Trade and Industry organized a business seminar and meetings with Cypriot companies. On both occasions there were approximately 30 participants from Estonia. The chambers of trade and industry regularly exchange information on training opportunities.

In January 2004, an Estonian trade mission led by the President of the Estonian Chamber of Trade and Industry Toomas Luman accompanied President R��tel on his state visit. On the second day of the visit, a business seminar introducing Estonian businesses was held. The seminar was attended by approximately one hundred Cypriot businessmen and entrepreneurs. During the seminar, the Estonian and Cypriot Chambers of Trade and Industry signed a co-operation agreement (08.01.04). It was agreed that the bilateral relations are limited, but there is great potential. Besides raising trade and reciprocal investments, the topics of the feasibility of opening an air route between Cyprus and Estonia, enhancing tourism and the possibilities of student exchanges were discussed.

TOURISM

Cyprus is for Estonian population among the European countries a target of smaller share. In 2005, through travel bureaus with a package 1,788 Estonian residents travelled to Cyprus, which is 10 times less than for example to nearby Turkey or 8 times less than to Greece. In a couple of recent years, the number of travels has remained approximately on the same level (1,875 persons in 2003 and 1,665 travellers in 2004). The reason for a small number of travels may consist in Cyprus�s higher price level compared for instance with Turkey.

In 2005, the number of Cypriot tourists staying overnight in Estonian accommodation enterprises was 223 (mainly in Tallinn). There is no information about the purpose of those overnight stays.

Culture and Education

In January 2004, Estonian Minister of Culture Urmas Paet signed an Agreement on Cultural and Educational Co-operation while meeting with his Cypriot colleague in Nicosia. The ministers discussed potential co-operation opportunities.

In September 2000, the Estonian National Opera performed "Carmen" at the Aphrodite Festival in Cyprus. In November 2003, an exhibition of paintings introducing Cyprus�s sacral culture was presented in Tallinn�s Niguliste church, which was the first major introduction of Cypriot culture in Estonia. In the past years, Cyprus has offered scholarships and training opportunities (the EU, operational management and management courses) to the Estonian public and private sectors.

On 23 February 2005, the Cypriot Ambassador Mrs Markides arranged a Cypriot night in Tallinn.

On 28 May 2005, the dance theatre "Fine 5" represented Estonia in Cyprus at the European Dance Festival with the performance "24 hours". At the festival taking place the eighth time already, dancers from all the European Union countries participate.