Embassies and High Commissions in Nicosia

Countries are represented through their embassies and consulates, the former responsible for promoting the interests of the home country, handling diplomatic relations and supporting its citizens. Embassies are located in the capital city where consular functions also occur. Consulates may also exist in other cities. Consulates (and their chief diplomat, the consul) handle minor diplomatic issues such as issuing visas, aiding in trade relationships, and taking care of migrants, tourists, and expatriates. Under the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations 1961, the premises of an Embassy are inviolable and “immune from search, requisition, attachment or execution,” but sovereignty of the embassy premises rests with the host country. Therefore whilst the embassy enjoys immunity it is not foreign soil as some think. Depending on the location and the home country the embassy buildings often can be grand and impressive. Some modern ones showcase the nation in a visual way.

Currently, many countries, notably the UK and Germany, have “non-diplomatic” but de facto diplomatic offices in northern Nicosia or in the buffer zone to meet consular and other diplomatic requests of their citizens living in TRNC territory. All of these offices are liaison offices operating under embassies accredited to the Republic of Cyprus south of Nicosia. States that do not have embassies in the Republic of Cyprus, on the other hand, try to address the problems of their citizens through liaison offices operating under their embassies in Ankara or through diplomats they send to the TRNC periodically as needed. The Ledra Palace Crossing is for Diplomats.

Unusually, I was unable to visit or takes photos of the British High Commission or the Residence of the British High Commissioner.

Both were in the northern part of Cyprus, the first behind high walls and the second within a secure area close to the buffer zone meaning access was impossible. Having failed in my attempts to view the British examples, I left my hotel early and tried to bag as many as possible before it got too hot (33C in late September). There was security at some of the embassies and photography was not encouraged at the Greek or US ones.

The Embassy of Greece

The Embassy of Greece was situated in 2 places, within the city and symbolically at the Ledra Palace crossing.

Embassy of the United States

The US embassy is located on Metochiou & Ploutarchou Streets. The United States established diplomatic relations with the Republic of Cyprus (ROC) in 1960 following its independence from the United Kingdom. The site contains the Ambassador’s residence too.