How would you characterise Cyprus-Qatar relations, and which areas hold the greatest promise for diplomatic or strategic advancement? 

 The current state of Cyprus-Qatar relations is excellent and in an upward trajectory, as was made evident by the visits of our respective Heads of State to Cyprus and Qatar. HE the President of the Republic of Cyprus Dr. Nikos Christodoulides visited Qatar in November 2023, and HH the Amir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani, visited Cyprus in May 2024. 

The bilateral relationship is increasingly becoming multi-faceted and covers a wide sphere of areas such as political consultations, economic and trade relations, higher education, research and development, cultural cooperation and increasing people-to-people contacts. This trend is facilitated by the presence of resident embassies in both Nicosia and Doha.  

In the political sphere, a frequent exchange of opinions and analyses takes place, both at the highest but also at technocrat level. This helps both sides navigate the immense global challenges stemming from tectonic shifts occurring in the international system. As two small states, both Cyprus and Qatar place utmost importance to the prevalence of international law and the United Nations Charter. Both states are firm believers in diplomacy, as the best means for the resolution of conflicts and international disputes.  

Cyprus has consistently been one of the strongest voices for increasing and deepening cooperation between Qatar and the European Union, as well as between the EU and the whole of the GCC. The enhancement and further promotion of EU-GCC relations will be one of the key priorities of the upcoming Cyprus Presidency of the EU Council in the first half of 2026.  

Cyprus has actively worked to deepen ties with Qatar, could you highlight key joint projects and what emerging areas offer the most potential for enhanced cooperation? 

We are actively exploring deepening our cooperation in a wide array of fields, including in the economic and trade sectors. The established presence of QatarEnergy, in partnership with ExxonMobil, in the exploratory programme for natural gas in Cyprus’ Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), can serve as an anchor for growing the Qatari economic footprint in Cyprus. Many areas of potential cooperation exist, such as shipping, information technologies, cloud services, food security, pharmaceuticals, RES and energy storage, to name but a few. 

The Qatari and Cypriot private business sectors can play a crucial and active role in forging a closer economic and trade relationship between Cyprus and Qatar. The recent signature of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Cyprus Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Qatar Financial Center (QFC) is aimed to encourage investments in the areas of finance and professional services. I am happy to witness a growing Cypriot business imprint in Qatar, which is taking advantage of the favourable business climate for foreign companies in Qatar.  

I would be remiss if I didn’t highlight the great potential for increased cooperation between Cypriot and Qatari Higher Education institutions and research and development centres, including through participation to Erasmus+. We strongly encourage joint projects, faculty and student exchanges, and deepening cooperation between Cypriot universities and the Qatar Foundation.  

Bilateral relations between any two states ultimately rely on the solid foundation of people-to-people contacts. The daily air connection between Hamad International Airport and Larnaca International Airport plays an invaluable role in bringing together our two peoples. I strongly encourage the Qatari public and residents to visit Cyprus and experience for themselves the unique richness of 9,000 years of civilization and the diversified ecosystem of Cyprus. At the same time, I warmly encourage my compatriots to visit the beautiful country of Qatar and its gleaming capital, Doha.  

As a regional hub and EU gateway, Cyprus offers various advantages for cross-border business. What key opportunities does Cyprus offer specifically to Qatari business?

Cyprus offers a strategic opportunity for Qatari businesses, both as an EU gateway and as a regional business platform for the Eastern Mediterranean, the Levant, and North Africa. 

The legal framework to promote and facilitate cross-border business between Cyprus and Qatar is firmly in place. A bilateral agreement for the Avoidance of Double Taxation is in effect. Furthermore, our respective Chambers of Commerce and Industry have signed an MoU for cooperation, which aims to facilitate B2B exchanges. The Cyprus Chamber also recently signed an MoU with the Qatar Financial Center (QFI), for the provision of enhanced opportunities in the fields of finance and professional services. 

The Government of Cyprus actively supports foreign investment through mechanisms such as the Business Support Center (BSC), a one-stop shop for foreign companies wishing to establish or expand operations on the island. The BSC offers support with company registration, tax registration, licensing guidance, and inclusion in the Registry of Foreign Interest Companies. Additionally, the BSC promotes digitalisation in the process and ease of doing business, with initiatives such as the Digital One-Stop Shop for licensing renewable energy projects. 

Our growing exports to Qatar – particularly in pharmaceuticals, juice products, and dairy machinery – as well as established service exports, indicate real potential for Qatari-Cypriot trade expansion. With a favourable business environment, legal transparency and EU regulatory alignment, Cyprus is well-positioned as an ideal partner for Qatari firms seeking to access European markets or to establish regional headquarters. 

The Cyprus Trade Centre (CTC) in Dubai, operating under the Ministry of Energy, Commerce and Industry, covers GCC countries, including Qatar. The CTC provides active support and real-time facilitation of business initiatives involving the participation of Qatari stakeholders in various exhibitions, as well as the planning of B2B and B2G meetings. At the same time, it is supporting G2G agreements. The CTC, along with the Trade Service of the Ministry, operates the Export Helpdesk, which serves as a dedicated channel for promoting Cypriot products and services to international markets, including Qatar and aims to promote synergies between the two countries.  

The Republic of Cyprus’ participation in the Digital Cooperation Organization (DCO) further strengthens its role as a regional hub and EU gateway, offering additional entry points and trade opportunities for Qatari companies. 

Which sectors or emerging industries in Cyprus do you believe present untapped opportunities for Qatari investment or partnerships, particularly in light of evolving regional dynamics? 

Firstly, there is active Qatari participation in the exploration of the natural gas reserves in Cyprus’ Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). QatarEnergy (QE) holds a significant stake in Blocks 5 and 10 of the Cyprus EEZ, in partnership with ExxonMobil (operator).

Apart from this key area of cooperation, several emerging sectors in Cyprus present promising opportunities for Qatari investment such as:

• Renewable Energy Projects (especially solar and wind): Cyprus offers a streamlined licensing process through the BSC and is prioritising its green transition and infrastructure projects in alignment with EU goals.
• Pharmaceuticals and Health Technology: Already among Cyprus’ top exports to Qatar, this sector could benefit from deeper collaboration in manufacturing, distribution, or R&D.
• Given Qatar’s interest in food security and diversification, Cyprus' capabilities in agritech and food processing could form a basis for joint ventures, along with the beverage sector. Cyprus has many companies participating in exhibitions in this area, as more than 50 companies are exporting food and beverage products in the region. 
• Technology and Digital Services: As Cyprus grows its reputation as a regional ICT and startup hub with more than 800 established companies, many opportunities arise, including through EU funds, for digital infrastructure, fintech, healthcare, environment, space sector, cybersecurity, software development, datacentres and AI collaboration. Similarly, most of the relevant Cypriot companies are participating in various exhibitions in the region.
• Tourism and Wellness Development: High-quality tourism infrastructure in Cyprus offers scope for co-investment in wellness, medical tourism, or boutique resorts.

Moreover, QatarEnergy and Nakilat (Qatar Gas Transport Company) are expanding LNG and offshore projects. Possible synergies present themselves in the areas of crew training programmes, the management of offshore fleets (LNG carriers, jack-ups, support vessels), as well as sustainability solutions, such as decarbonisation and fleet digital twin platforms.

What new prospects do you see to further strengthen relations with Qatar, and how do you see the relationship of the two nations developing over the next decade? 

There is a clear and growing mutual interest in deepening the bilateral relationship between Cyprus and Qatar, including through enhanced trade and investment cooperation. In this context, the Cyprus Ministry of Energy, Commerce and Industry, in collaboration with the Cyprus Information Technology Enterprises Association (CITEA), was preparing a business mission to Qatar before the end of 2025. This initiative reflects a strategic and proactive approach to advancing economic ties in areas such as digital transformation, cybersecurity, e-commerce, e-health, blockchain (Web3), and related technologies.

At the same time, shifting geopolitical dynamics in the region – combined with ongoing EU-GCC economic dialogue and renewed momentum around multilateral frameworks such as the EU-GCC Free Trade Agreement, as well as bilateral SPAs between the EU and individual GC member states, create a favourable environment for Cyprus and Qatar to enhance their economic and political engagement. Over the coming decade, cooperation is expected to deepen across multiple domains, including energy (with a focus on renewables and LNG infrastructure), infrastructure development, business services (tax, legal, digital, and consultancy) and innovation-driven projects in hydrogen and ammonia production, as well as offshore renewable energy. 

The maritime sector presents additional opportunities for collaboration. There is scope for synergies in vessel management, maritime digitalisation, training and upskilling of seafarers, and the adoption of green shipping technologies. This is enhanced by the fact that Cyprus is home to one of the largest third-party ship management hubs globally and QatarEnergy is increasingly involved in LNG transport and maritime logistics. Joint ventures in fleet services, port infrastructure and regulatory best practices could further elevate cooperation in this critical industry.

Cyprus views Qatar as a key and valued partner in the Gulf region and fully supports the strengthening of EU-Qatar and EU-GCC relations, which are increasingly seen as a strategic imperative in today’s complex global landscape. The deepening of EU relations with the Gulf will be one of the key priorities of the upcoming Cyprus Presidency of the EU Council in the first half of 2026. 

Situated at the crossroads of Europe, Asia, and Africa, Cyprus offers unique geographic and economic advantages. Our active participation in the Digital Cooperation Organization (DCO) is central to our vision of becoming a regional hub for the digital economy. Through this partnership, we aim to attract foreign investment, support the growth of startups and SMEs and foster scalable innovation – positioning Cyprus as a dynamic platform for the digital future interconnecting Europe and the MENA and Gulf regions.