Cyprus (Republic of)

History of Relations | Diplomatic Representation | Travel Info | Health Requirements | Climate Info | Currency Info | Trade Statistics | Visits and Meetings | Agreements | Interest Groups/ Organisations

History of Relations

Political Relations between South Africa and Cyprus

Diplomatic relations between South Africa and the Republic of Cyprus were established on 10 December 1993. The South African Ambassador to Athens, Mr J Momberg, has been accredited as the non-resident High Commissioner to Cyprus and South Africa has appointed an Honorary Consul in Cyprus. A Cypriot Consulate General was established in Johannesburg in March 1994, and it was elevated to the status of an Embassy at the beginning of 1999. The first Cypriot High Commissioner to South Africa, HE Mr E Eliades, was accredited during April 1999.

South Africa has excellent and long standing bilateral relations with Cyprus (and Greece). It has maintained strong ties with these two countries also due to the large and influential Cypriot (and Greek) community in South Africa, numbering about 60 000. This Community serves as a link between South Africa and Cyprus (and Greece) in both the political and economic fields.

Trade between South Africa and Cyprus

Cyprus lifted trade sanctions against South Africa at the end of 1993. Normal trade relations between the two countries commenced immediately and the Cypriot business community took a very keen interest in South Africa as a business partner. Trade with Cyprus has increased steadily over the past five years. During the last decade Cyprus has developed into one of the most important off-shore trading centres in the world and offers many advantages to the international business sector from countries with which Cyprus has an agreement for the avoidance of double taxation. As a result of the relatively small domestic market, the Cypriot business sector has developed its business activities through triangular trade measures to include the regional markets of North Africa, the Middle East and the eastern part of Europe, including the Balkan region.

Diplomatic Representation

South African Representation in Cyprus 

There is no South African representation in Cyprus, but the South African Ambassador to Athens is accredited to Nicosia on a non-resident basis.

H E Mr J H Momberg
Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary

Cyprus  Representation in South Africa

H E Mr P T Nacouzis
Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary

Travel Info

Visa Requirements for South Africans

For more information contact the Cypriot High Commission in Pretoria.

Health Requirements

None for South African travellers.

For further information go to Travelers' Health.

Climate Info

Cyprus has an intense Mediterranean climate with hot dry summers from mid-May to mid-September and rainy, rather changeable winters from mid-November to mid-March which are separated by short autumn and spring seasons. Annual rainfall is 500mm.

For up-to-date weather information click here.

Currency Info

The monetary unit is the Cyprus Pound (CP) (Euro after it will join the EU on 1 May 2004).

For current exchange rates click here.

State and Official Visits / Bilateral Meetings

No Information

Bilateral Agreements

Trade Info

Cyprus has offered Most Favoured Nation (MFN) status for South African imports into Cyprus. However, due to its accession to the EU, it is aligning gradually its customs tariffs to those of the EU. The gradual reduction of customs tariffs to those of the EU. The gradual reduction of customs duties will have a positive impact on South African exports to Cyprus. As a result, the SA/EU TDCA will shortly be binding on Cyprus too.

For current information on trade statistics between South Africa and Cyprus, visit the web site of the Department of Trade and Industry of South Africa

Interest Groups and Information

The Greek Cypriots residing in South Africa share the same interest and friendship groups as Greek South Africans.