Cyprus–Poland relations
Encyclopedia
Cyprus-Polish relations are foreign relations between Cyprus
and Poland
. Diplomatic relations between both countries were established during the 1960’s. Cyprus has an embassy in Warsaw
and 2 honorary consulates (in Gdynia
and Szczecin
). Poland has an embassy in Nicosia
and an honorary consulate general in Limassol
. Both countries are full members of the European Union
.
. One of its participants was king Peter I of Cyprus
, who was trying to drum up support for a crusade to liberate the Holy land
. Throughout the Middle Ages, Polish travelers en route to Jerusalem via the Mediterranean route would often stop in Cyprus, and some settled there permanently. A prominent visitor was Boguslaw X the Great, ruler of West Pomerania
, in April 1497. However, with the conquest of Cyprus by the Ottoman Empire
in 1570, contact between the two countries ceased for almost 300 years. In the 19th century Polish travelers again started visiting Cyprus, with growing numbers after the British
gained control of the island after the Russo-Turkish War (1877–1878). During the Second World War 500 refugee Polish dignitaries and their families arrived in Cyprus in September 1940. Among them was the writer Melchior Wankowicz
.
has a significant following in the east of Poland and is in full communion with the Cypriot Orthodox Church
. Both churches have suffered oppression in their countries. In 2009, Archbishop Leon of Karelia
and all Finland
suggested that Cyprus, Poland and the Finnish Orthodox Church claim the restoration of their cultural heritage from the EU.
that defined exchanges in the fields of science, education, culture, art, archaeology, sports and communications. In August 2008, the Polish Ambassador in Nicosia Zbigniew Szymanski said that since EU accession the two countries have found additional areas for closer cooperation, and stressed the close contacts between the leaders of Poland and Cyprus. He also referred to planning for the joint presidency of the EU by Cyprus, Poland and Denmark
. Poland will take over the EU presidency in the second half of 2011, followed by Denmark and Cyprus. Leaders of the three countries are committed to joint action on the economic crisis and the EU's 2014-2020 budget.
between Cyprus and Poland favor entrepreneurs who decide to base their company in Cyprus although doing business in Poland. A number of companies have taken advantage of this opportunity.
Cyprus
Cyprus , officially the Republic of Cyprus , is a Eurasian island country, member of the European Union, in the Eastern Mediterranean, east of Greece, south of Turkey, west of Syria and north of Egypt. It is the third largest island in the Mediterranean Sea.The earliest known human activity on the...
and Poland
Poland
Poland , officially the Republic of Poland , is a country in Central Europe bordered by Germany to the west; the Czech Republic and Slovakia to the south; Ukraine, Belarus and Lithuania to the east; and the Baltic Sea and Kaliningrad Oblast, a Russian exclave, to the north...
. Diplomatic relations between both countries were established during the 1960’s. Cyprus has an embassy in Warsaw
Warsaw
Warsaw is the capital and largest city of Poland. It is located on the Vistula River, roughly from the Baltic Sea and from the Carpathian Mountains. Its population in 2010 was estimated at 1,716,855 residents with a greater metropolitan area of 2,631,902 residents, making Warsaw the 10th most...
and 2 honorary consulates (in Gdynia
Gdynia
Gdynia is a city in the Pomeranian Voivodeship of Poland and an important seaport of Gdańsk Bay on the south coast of the Baltic Sea.Located in Kashubia in Eastern Pomerania, Gdynia is part of a conurbation with the spa town of Sopot, the city of Gdańsk and suburban communities, which together...
and Szczecin
Szczecin
Szczecin , is the capital city of the West Pomeranian Voivodeship in Poland. It is the country's seventh-largest city and the largest seaport in Poland on the Baltic Sea. As of June 2009 the population was 406,427....
). Poland has an embassy in Nicosia
Nicosia
Nicosia from , known locally as Lefkosia , is the capital and largest city in Cyprus, as well as its main business center. Nicosia is the only divided capital in the world, with the southern and the northern portions divided by a Green Line...
and an honorary consulate general in Limassol
Limassol
Limassol is the second-largest city in Cyprus, with a population of 228,000 . It is the largest city in geographical size, and the biggest municipality on the island. The city is located on Akrotiri Bay, on the island's southern coast and it is the capital of Limassol District.Limassol is the...
. Both countries are full members of the European Union
European Union
The European Union is an economic and political union of 27 independent member states which are located primarily in Europe. The EU traces its origins from the European Coal and Steel Community and the European Economic Community , formed by six countries in 1958...
.
History
One of the first recorded contacts between Poland and Cyprus was in 1364, during a meeting of kings, princes and noblemen at the famous Congress of KrakówCongress of Kraków
The Congress of Kraków was a meeting of monarchs initiated by King Casimir III the Great of Poland and held in Kraków around September 22-27, 1364...
. One of its participants was king Peter I of Cyprus
Peter I of Cyprus
Peter I of Cyprus or Pierre I de Lusignan was King of Cyprus, and Titular King of Jerusalem from his father's abdication on 24 November 1358 until his own death in 1369. He was also Latin King of Armenia from either 1361 or 1368...
, who was trying to drum up support for a crusade to liberate the Holy land
Holy Land
The Holy Land is a term which in Judaism refers to the Kingdom of Israel as defined in the Tanakh. For Jews, the Land's identifiction of being Holy is defined in Judaism by its differentiation from other lands by virtue of the practice of Judaism often possible only in the Land of Israel...
. Throughout the Middle Ages, Polish travelers en route to Jerusalem via the Mediterranean route would often stop in Cyprus, and some settled there permanently. A prominent visitor was Boguslaw X the Great, ruler of West Pomerania
Duchy of Pomerania
The Duchy of Pomerania was a duchy in Pomerania on the southern coast of the Baltic Sea, ruled by dukes of the House of Pomerania ....
, in April 1497. However, with the conquest of Cyprus by the Ottoman Empire
Ottoman Empire
The Ottoman EmpireIt was usually referred to as the "Ottoman Empire", the "Turkish Empire", the "Ottoman Caliphate" or more commonly "Turkey" by its contemporaries...
in 1570, contact between the two countries ceased for almost 300 years. In the 19th century Polish travelers again started visiting Cyprus, with growing numbers after the British
British Empire
The British Empire comprised the dominions, colonies, protectorates, mandates and other territories ruled or administered by the United Kingdom. It originated with the overseas colonies and trading posts established by England in the late 16th and early 17th centuries. At its height, it was the...
gained control of the island after the Russo-Turkish War (1877–1878). During the Second World War 500 refugee Polish dignitaries and their families arrived in Cyprus in September 1940. Among them was the writer Melchior Wankowicz
Melchior Wankowicz
Melchior Wańkowicz was a Polish writer, journalist and publisher. He is most famous for his reporting for the Polish Armed Forces in the West during World War II and writing a book about the battle of Monte Cassino....
.
Cultural Ties
The Polish people are predominantly Roman Catholic, but the Polish Orthodox ChurchPolish Orthodox Church
The Polish Autocephalous Orthodox Church, commonly known as the Polish Orthodox Church, , is one of the autocephalous Eastern Orthodox Churches in full communion...
has a significant following in the east of Poland and is in full communion with the Cypriot Orthodox Church
Cypriot Orthodox Church
The Church of Cyprus is an autocephalous Greek church within the communion of Orthodox Christianity. It is one of the oldest Eastern Orthodox autocephalous churches, achieving independence from the Patriarchate of Antioch and All the East in 431...
. Both churches have suffered oppression in their countries. In 2009, Archbishop Leon of Karelia
Karelia
Karelia , the land of the Karelian peoples, is an area in Northern Europe of historical significance for Finland, Russia, and Sweden...
and all Finland
Finland
Finland , officially the Republic of Finland, is a Nordic country situated in the Fennoscandian region of Northern Europe. It is bordered by Sweden in the west, Norway in the north and Russia in the east, while Estonia lies to its south across the Gulf of Finland.Around 5.4 million people reside...
suggested that Cyprus, Poland and the Finnish Orthodox Church claim the restoration of their cultural heritage from the EU.
Official Contacts
Between 1971 and 2000, Poland and Cyprus concluded 15 agreements on subject such as air transport, trade, visas, shipping and taxation. For example, in September 1998 the countries signed an agreement in NicosiaNicosia
Nicosia from , known locally as Lefkosia , is the capital and largest city in Cyprus, as well as its main business center. Nicosia is the only divided capital in the world, with the southern and the northern portions divided by a Green Line...
that defined exchanges in the fields of science, education, culture, art, archaeology, sports and communications. In August 2008, the Polish Ambassador in Nicosia Zbigniew Szymanski said that since EU accession the two countries have found additional areas for closer cooperation, and stressed the close contacts between the leaders of Poland and Cyprus. He also referred to planning for the joint presidency of the EU by Cyprus, Poland and Denmark
Denmark
Denmark is a Scandinavian country in Northern Europe. The countries of Denmark and Greenland, as well as the Faroe Islands, constitute the Kingdom of Denmark . It is the southernmost of the Nordic countries, southwest of Sweden and south of Norway, and bordered to the south by Germany. Denmark...
. Poland will take over the EU presidency in the second half of 2011, followed by Denmark and Cyprus. Leaders of the three countries are committed to joint action on the economic crisis and the EU's 2014-2020 budget.
Poles in Cyprus
Since both Cyprus and Poland became members of the European Union in May 2004, perhaps 350 Poles have established permanent residence in Cyprus, and 2,500 Polish workers are temporary residents of the island. A Polish school established in 1999 helps children of Polish parents to maintain language skills and knowledge of Poland.Economic links
The Cyprus-Polish Business Association, officially sponsored by the Polish and Cypriot governments and with many Cypriot/Polish businesses as members, works to bring people of the two countries into closer contact and develop their relations on many different levels. The efficient, low-rate business taxes in Cyprus and the tax treatyTax treaty
Many countries have agreed with other countries in treaties to mitigate the effects of double taxation . Tax treaties may cover income taxes, inheritance taxes, value added taxes, or other taxes...
between Cyprus and Poland favor entrepreneurs who decide to base their company in Cyprus although doing business in Poland. A number of companies have taken advantage of this opportunity.