– Do embassy employees face any restrictions, difficulties with bank accounts and financial transactions or problems related to the use of Russian diplomatic property?

– As you know, Cyprus joined the EU sanctions. At the same time, there were no problems with Russian diplomatic property. Constructive interaction has been established with the leadership of the Republic of Cyprus, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other local government agencies, we resolve emerging issues in a working order. In the current conditions, the key area of activity for us is invariably the protection of the rights and legitimate interests of Russian citizens and compatriots on the island. We focus our closest attention on the consolidation of the Russian-speaking diaspora, its involvement in joint actions of a cultural, educational and patriotic orientation.

An important manifestation of the unity and civil responsibility of Russians in Cyprus was the unprecedented turnout in the presidential elections in the Russian Federation in 2024. We also plan to hold elections to the State Duma of the Russian Federation this year with full responsibility and with the active participation of our compatriots.

– Is it possible to fully provide consular services?

– Despite the challenges and threats of the modern world, regional conflicts in the Middle East, anti-Russian rhetoric in the international arena, the embassy invariably continues to ensure the rights and interests of Russian citizens guaranteed by the Constitution of the Russian Federation, as well as methodically provide them with services across the entire range of consular issues.

Over 150 thousand Russians live in Cyprus, and for each we try to find an opportunity to provide the necessary consular assistance without significant delay. These include, for example, documenting with a foreign passport, registering notarial actions, resolving citizenship issues, registry offices, and so on – in numerical terms, their number exceeds 100 thousand per year. In addition, taking into account the humanitarian component, we organize monthly consular visits to the cities of Limassol and Paphos to receive our compatriots on the most demanded consular issues.

The historic event was for the first time the establishment in August 2023 in northern Cyprus of the office of the consular department of the embassy in order to provide Russian citizens living in the north of the island with state services in full format. Based solely on humanitarian considerations, the foundation of the chancellery allowed our citizens to register birth and apply for citizenship for their children, issue new foreign passports, receive notarial services, and the like – to receive the entire list of consular services that were previously unavailable to them. Since the opening of the consular office, over 30 thousand Russian citizens have used full-format services.

Our citizens do not hide their gratitude to the Russian state, sincerely thank for the opening of the office, which allowed them to gain unhindered access to the entire range of consular services directly on the territory where they live.

@rusembcy