President of the Republic, Nikos Christodoulides, described the third President of Cyprus, George Vassiliou, as a distinguished, virtuous and beneficial man, a cosmopolitan and universal figure, free by nature, non-dogmatic and consistent with his beliefs, delivering a eulogy in his funeral at the Holy Wisdom Church, in Nicosia, on Saturday.
‘Today we bid farewell to George Vassiliou, the third President of the Republic of Cyprus, the protagonist of a long journey of more than nine decades, filled with events that shaped the modern history of our homeland, of Greece, and of Europe,’ President Christodoulides said.
As he noted, Vassiliou’s journey began in Famagusta in 1931 and continued through Lesvos, Budapest, Geneva, Vienna, London, Nicosia, the Middle East, Africa, and many other countries. He observed that ‘all these unique experiences and life events shaped Vassiliou as a person, as an economist, as a technocrat, and as a politician. Whatever role he assumed, he never forgot that the essence of life lies in the simple and everyday things, as defined by people’s value systems and needs, regardless of color, race, religion, ideology, party preference, or social background.’
President Christodoulides continued by noting that this characteristic made him ‘cosmopolitan and universal,’ allowing him to feel at ease in any environment, anywhere in the world, and with any person. ‘His sound judgment and quick wit were the key to everything else he encountered and confronted throughout his long life, above all, his ability to perceive, synthesize, decide, and implement in an innovative manner, often ahead of his time,’ he said.
He emphasized that, without a doubt, Vassiliou’s foremost priority was the resolution of the Cyprus problem and the reunification of Cyprus for the benefit of all its lawful citizens, and that he worked sincerely and tirelessly, with genuine political will, to achieve this goal. ‘Unfortunately, however, he departed this life with the longing for the reunification of our homeland unfulfilled, a longing that tormented him until the very end,’ he said.
He added that Vassiliou’s contribution to the modernization of the state was immense and decisive, through important reforms he dared to promote, such as tax reform, structural changes in public administration, the establishment of the first public university, and the creation of conditions in which every citizen could express themselves freely, without concern or fear regarding their political beliefs.
‘The changes he promoted in our country contributed decisively to its economic and social development, as well as to the sustainability and modernization of the Cypriot state. We all ought to acknowledge George Vassiliou’s determination and courage in implementing significant changes that our country needed, despite reactions from those who preferred the easy path of inertia and stagnation,’ the President stated.
He also noted that Vassiliou’s contribution to Cyprus’ accession to the European Union was crucial, both as President of the Republic – as the application for accession was submitted during his term – and later as head of the accession negotiation team. Moreover, he added, as early as 1969, George Vassiliou was among the first to highlight the prospects and importance of linking Cyprus with the then European Economic Community.
‘Free by nature, non-dogmatic and consistent with his beliefs, George Vassiliou willingly assumed the heavy responsibility of the accession negotiations, which were generously entrusted to him by his successor, the late President Glafcos Clerides. With methodical work, diligence, and a deep conviction that the future of Cyprus lies in a united Europe, George Vassiliou effectively led this successful national effort, which rendered the Republic of Cyprus a full and equal member of the European Union,’ he underlined.
Finally, the President stressed the universal recognition of Vassiliou’s contribution by people and leadership alike, in Cyprus, Greece, Hungary, Europe as a whole, the countries of the Middle East and Africa, the United Kingdom, Russia, the United States, and every other country he passed through.
‘I have the privilege of bidding you farewell on behalf of the Cypriot State and of saying the painful ‘final goodbye,’ together with the gratitude that will forever accompany your memory, as a distinguished, virtuous, and beneficial man, who elevated our country and led it forward,’ he concluded.