Twin Towns

The institution of twinning between cities in Cyprus and abroad began to tentatively appear after Cyprus gained independence in 1960. Following the Turkish invasion, the institution was strengthened due to the desire of many local authorities abroad—particularly in Greece—to support Cyprus in its time of trial.

However, the institution evolved with the change in Cypriot legislation regarding municipalities and the election of the first elected Municipal Councils in 1986. At the same time, in the then European Economic Community (E.E.C.), the institution was considered particularly useful for cooperation among Community Local Authorities and was encouraged with incentives.

The first elected Municipal Council of Larnaca, headed by then-Mayor Mr. Georgios Christodoulides, carried out several twinnings during its term (1986–1991), based on criteria such as the presence of a Cypriot community in the twinned city, political considerations with cities from countries that supported Cyprus’s struggle, and with Greek cities sharing similar characteristics with Larnaca.

Thus, the first sister city of Larnaca was established on 30 July 1987 with the borough of Haringey in the United Kingdom, where the Mayor at the time was of Cypriot origin and the population included a large number of Cypriots, many originally from Larnaca and the wider area. The second phase of the twinning took place in Haringey on 12 April 1998, during the mayoralty of Georgios Lykourgos, where the ceremonies and events included a major exhibition in London about Zeno of Citium.

Subsequently, under the mayoralty of Georgios Christodoulides, the Council proceeded with twinning with the city of Poti in Georgia, then part of the Soviet Union, on 17 September 1987. The second phase took place in Larnaca on 27 July 1998, during the mayoralty of Georgios Lykourgos.

Further twinnings followed with Bratislava, Czechoslovakia, on 7 January 1989, Ajaccio in Corsica on 10 January 1989, and Larissa on 24 May 1990.

During Georgios Lykourgos’s mayoralty (1992–2001), similar twinnings were conducted with the same criteria. On 28 June 1993, a cooperation agreement was signed with the Siberian capital Novosibirsk, and with the city of Szeged in Hungary on 6 November 1993. Twinning followed with Sarandë (Saranda) in Albania on 11 July 1994, where the Mayor at the time was of Greek origin. The second phase took place under Mayor Andreas Moiseos on 10 September 2002.

A twinning with Glyfada was completed on 28 April 1998, prompted by close relations between the Rotary Clubs of the two cities. As part of this twinning, the Rotary Club of Glyfada donated the artwork “The Call of Peace” by artist Nikola, which was placed opposite the Larnaca Municipal Theater. The twinning with Piraeus took place on 26 July 1995, with the second phase in Larnaca on 23 March 2001. Lastly, twinnings were realized with Ilioupoli on 29 September 2000 and with Leros on 27 September 2000, with the second phase in Larnaca on 4 July 2003, during the mayoralty of Andreas Moiseos.

During Andreas Moiseos’s term, twinnings were also completed with the city of Tulcea, Romania, on 27 May 2003, with the second phase in Larnaca on 28 January 2004; with Giannitsa, Pella, on 16 November 2003 with a ceremony in Larnaca, and the second phase in Giannitsa on 15 May 2004; with Odessa, Ukraine, on 3 September 2004; and with Marrickville in Australia, which hosts a large Cypriot community, on 9 May 2005 in Australia and in Larnaca on 29 June 2005.

Finally, due to Cyprus’s close political relations with China, the Municipality of Larnaca twinned with the city of Tianjin in a ceremony in Larnaca on 17 May 2007 and in Tianjin on 19 May 2008. In November of the same year, twinning was completed with Cetinje, Montenegro.

During Mayor Andreas Moiseos’s term, a twinning with Venice, Italy, was also achieved and officially took place in Venice in May 2010, as well as with the city of Tarpon Springs, Florida, USA, home to many Greek sponge divers, in January 2009.

Larnaca has established strong collaborative relationships with its twin cities, covering artistic exchanges, cultural events, engagement with the Cypriot diaspora, shared historical paths, and joint participation in European programs.

In November 2012, Larnaca twinned with the Russian city of Vladimir under Mayor Andreas Louroutziatis.

During the mayoralty of Andreas Vyras, on 25 October 2019, Larnaca twinned with the Russian city of Krasnodar, further strengthening the friendship and cooperation between the two cities.

In March 2022, a twinning was achieved with the Chinese city of Ningbo, while in October of the same year, Larnaca twinned with the capital of Cambodia, Phnom Penh.

Additionally, on 10 April 2025, a twinning agreement was signed between the Municipality of Larnaca and the Municipality of Kołobrzeg in Poland, aiming to promote joint initiatives in the fields of culture, tourism, and local development.

Additionally, the Municipality of Larnaka signed a Memorandum of Understanding and Cooperation with the City of Novi Sad in Serbia, laying the foundation for collaboration in areas such as culture, sports, economy, tourism, higher education, and information technologies.