The history of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Diplomatic Service of Cyprus is inextricably linked to the history of the Republic of Cyprus. Over the last 60 years, since Independence, the Foreign Ministry and the big family of people working at headquarters and in the Missions of Cyprus abroad, have been at the forefront of efforts to defend the sovereignty and sovereign rights of the State and safeguard the human rights and basic freedoms of all Cypriots in the face of Turkish aggression. An aggression which has materialized most evidently in the form of the illegal invasion in 1974 and subsequent military occupation by Turkey of close to 37% of the Republic ‘s territory, which continues to date.
Beyond this, the Ministry has been actively involved and has played an important role in the achievement of all important milestones in the external relations of Republic’s 60-year history. As a result of these efforts, Cyprus in our days is a modern, dynamic State, Member of the European Union since 2004, working closely with all countries in its region on the basis of a positive agenda, to promote peace, dialogue, stability and cooperation as the only way to effectively address the multitude of challenges facing the world these days.
If you are interested in the history of the Ministry, we recommend that you take a bit of time to peruse the photographic exhibition presented below (by scrolling down). The exhibition, entitled "The Ministry of Foreign Affairs Over the Years", was inaugurated in February 2019 by the President of the Republic Mr. Nicos Anastasiades and the Minister of Foreign Affairs Mr. Nikos Christodoulides, as a tribute to the work of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs over the years.
Alternatively, you may also take a look back at the history of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the role played by the Foreign Service of the Republic of Cyprus during the first 60 years after its establishment in November 1960, by watching the dedicated TV documentary made by CyBC's 'Chronograph' programme. This 30-minute tribute first aired on November 27, 2020. It is available from the link below with subtitles in English.