Russia is set to open a consular office in Northern Cyprus

Russia is set to open a consular office in north Cyprus to provide consular services for over 50,000 Russians residing in the TRNC “in the very near future.”

According to a report, an official from the Russian embassy in Cyprus (south) said the country is set to open an office in Lefkosa, northern Cyprus, with consular services to be offered “on a regular basis”.

TRNC foreign minister, Tahsin Ertugruloglu was swift to point out that the move does not amount to recognition of the north nor the opening of a formal consulate, however.

“The Russians have wanted to open an office in the TRNC for a long time. There are attempts to open an office, but opening a consulate is something else, they are doing no such thing. There are requests to open an office, just like the ones the USA and the UK have. A consulate or recognition is something completely different”, he said.

This is not the first time reports of Russia potentially offering consular services in the TRNC have surfaced.

It is estimated that around 50,000 Russian nationals currently reside in the TRNC.

Cyprus Mail