The UN Secretary-General’s visit to Cyprus was a sign of the heightened interest shown by the international community, the UN and the EU in the Cyprus issue, President of the Republic, Nikos Christodoulides, said on Wednesday evening, adding that the EU Special Envoy for the Cyprus issue, Raffaele Fitto, will be in Cyprus on Friday.
Speaking during a reception held at the Presidential Palace in honour of delegates attending the World Conference of Overseas Cypriots, President Christodoulides said that all this diplomatic activity was the result ‘of a very specific strategy which demonstrates in practice that, when we have clear objectives and a coherent strategy, we can achieve results aimed at strengthening every aspect of our country’s influence and standing’.
Addressing members of the Cypriot diaspora, he said: ‘Your contribution to this major effort is invaluable and of decisive importance.”
During the event, Cypriots living abroad and friends of Cyprus were honoured for their contributions.
‘I have known first-hand for many years the work you do every day for Cyprus and for the protection of our country’s interests. The voice of Cyprus – your voice – is heard loudly abroad. You are our country’s finest and most sincere ambassadors because you convey the just cause of our homeland and fight your own daily battles in the countries where you live,’ he added.
He noted that this year’s Conference is taking place at a critical time for the Cyprus issue, referring to the visit on Tuesday and Wednesday to Cyprus of the UN Secretary-General. Guterres’ visit, he said, was ‘another indication of the increased interest shown by the international community, the UN and the European Union’.
‘As part of this major effort, with the plan and strategy we have pursued since the first day of assuming office, we are making full use of our status as a member state of the European Union and of the meaningful role that the Union can play, both in restarting negotiations and in relation to the substance of a settlement,’ he stressed.
Thanks to Cyprus’ own efforts, the President said, ‘it has now become clear that the Cyprus issue is a European issue and a priority for the European Union’. This, he said, ‘is clearly reflected in the Conclusions of the European Council of April 2024, following the considerable efforts we made’, and is further confirmed by the decision of the President of the European Commission to appoint the Executive Vice-President of the Commission, Raffaele Fitto, as Special Envoy for the Cyprus issue.
Once again addressing the Cypriot diaspora, he said that their contribution to this effort ‘is invaluable and of crucial importance’.
Turning to domestic matters, the President said that the government continues to take action to address challenges such as migration, noting that ‘the facts speak for themselves. Anyone can see what we inherited in March 2023 and compare it with the situation today.’
He also referred to strengthening Cyprus’ deterrence and improving the resilience of the Cypriot economy, adding that the state of the economy enables the government to invest in healthcare, education, the welfare state, housing, ‘and everything else that should benefit society. The figures are publicly available for everyone to see’, he said.
Honours and awards
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During the event, members of the Cypriot diaspora and friends of Cyprus were presented with honorary distinctions.
In the ‘Distinguished Cypriot Abroad’ category, two individuals who have achieved international distinction through their work and service were honoured: Anthe Phillipides, Judge of the Supreme Court and the Court of Appeal of Queensland, Australia, and climate and human rights activist, Catherine Sophia Constantinides, ‘who has become one of the leading voices on the African continent and beyond’, the President said.
In the category ‘Cypriots Abroad with Long-standing and Significant Service to Cyprus’, the President said the awards recognised individuals who had devoted decades to promoting Cyprus’ national interests and strengthening the cohesion of the Cypriot diaspora.
The recipients were Andreas Papaevrypides, Dino Miltiadous, Evagoras Mavrommatis and Eleftherios Gavriilides.
The President also emphasised the importance of the award in the category ‘Foreign National with Outstanding Contribution to Supporting Cyprus’ National Causes or Enhancing the Country’s International Profile’.
This year’s recipient was Ari Babikian, who, the President said, ‘has consistently demonstrated that his friendship for and affection towards Cyprus can be translated into meaningful political action’. As a member of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario, Canada, he has worked diligently and persistently on issues concerning the Republic of Cyprus and has actively supported the Greek and Cypriot communities, promoting the shared values of freedom, justice and respect for international law, he said.