Cyprus celebrates 66th independence anniversary with international recognition

On October 1, 2026, the Republic of Cyprus marked the 66th anniversary of its independence. In honor of the occasion, President Nikos Christodoulides received congratulatory messages from numerous world leaders, reflecting the island's diplomatic standing on the global stage.

Prominent figures who extended their greetings include Chinese President Xi Jinping, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, King Salman bin Abdulaziz al Saud and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman of Saudi Arabia, Omani Sultan Haitham bin Tariq, Lebanese President Joseph Aoun, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, King Felipe VI of Spain, King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands, German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, Italian President Sergio Mattarella, Slovenian President Natasa Pirc Musar, Hungarian President Andras Baka and Prime Minister Peter Magyar, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

Additionally, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres sent a formal message emphasizing the importance of national anniversaries as moments for reflection. Guterres highlighted the necessity of dialogue and multilateral cooperation to address urgent global challenges, such as conflict resolution, climate change, and human rights. These messages underscore the continued engagement of the international community with Cyprus regarding its future and regional stability.