The President of the Republic Mr. Nikos Christodoulides was awarded an honorary doctorate of the Department of International and European Studies of the School of Economics, Business and International Studies of the University of Piraeus.
In a special ceremony held at the Municipal Theatre of Piraeus in the presence of Ministers of the Greek Government, Members of Parliament and representatives of local authorities at the highest level, as well as other dignitaries, the Rector of the University, Professor Michael Sfakianakis said, among other things, that today's honorary distinction is the highest academic title of honor to a prominent leading personality, the President of the Republic Mr. Nikos Christodoulides. He added that "the title of honorary doctorate is awarded today to Nikos Christodoulides for his overall contribution to Hellenism in general, and to his homeland Cyprus in particular."
He pointed out that "Cyprus may be a small country, but its potential, possibilities and prospects are great. A country that has clearly demonstrated that it can create in very difficult circumstances, and that has faced serious existential threats from the very first moment of its existence. A country that has been able to get back on its feet after the Turkish invasion, achieving economic leaps, while managing to join the European Union on its own merits."
The Rector also added that today, once again, the stakes are high for the Republic of Cyprus, for Greece, and for the Eastern Mediterranean.
He added that managing such a situation requires a man with a strategic mind and diplomatic ability, systematic, hard-working, methodical, who acts reasonably and with long experience in managing situations, as President Christodoulides is. He underlined that President Christodoulides' career so far shows a man characterized by patience, patience, patience, readiness, having the courage to resist, no matter how great the pressures, and at the same time to make brave moves. A man with a deep faith in God, a member of a large family, imbued with traditional principles, said the Rector.
Finally, he said that President Christodoulides symbolizes hope, generating substantial expectations for the future.
Then, the Chairman of the Department of International and European Studies, Professor Aristotle Tziabiris, presented the work of the honoured.
Among other things, Professor Tziabiris said that the title of honorary doctorate is awarded by the University of Piraeus to outstanding personalities of the academic, social and political field, in order to honour their contribution to science, research, society and in general to the nation and humanity. The University's unanimous decision to honour President Christodoulides, he added, was based on his multi-level and special contribution to Hellenism and the further strengthening of relations between Greece and Cyprus. It was also based, he said, on the honoree's struggles for stability and peace in the wider region, as well as on his democratic ethos. The Professor praised the ability that President Christodoulides demonstrated when he was at the helm of Cypriot diplomacy and foreign policy, and praised his efforts for what he called a just solution to the Cyprus problem.
Next, Professor Tziabiris made special reference to the honouring of the Department of International and European Studies by the President of the Republic, when he delivered his first lecture outside Cyprus as the then new Foreign Minister, at the University's auditorium.
By paying tribute to President Christodoulides, the Professor added, the State of Cyprus and its people are honoured. He added that the victims of the invasion and occupation of the island and the unbroken struggle of the Cypriots for freedom and independence, for progress and prosperity are honoured. Referring to President Christodoulides' CV, the Professor said that "The criticality of the above positions in the defence of Cypriot democracy and the confidence shown in him by the Cypriot state authorities demonstrate the contribution of the tireless diplomat President Christodoulides to the defence of national rights and document the extent of his abilities and the confidence they inspire".
Subsequently, the President of the Republic donned the toga and made his own speech.
(PM/AF)
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