Candidate for the Presidency of the Republic Andreas Mavroyiannis, in his statements to journalists after the announcement of the final result of the 2023 Presidential Elections, said the following: "Tonight marks the end of a long but beautiful journey. A journey where I had the pleasure to meet thousands of people, to draw from their wisdom and to share with them dreams and anxieties for our country. I want to thank from the depths of my soul my companions on this journey, my colleagues and my family, the great party of the left, AKEL, the hundreds of personalities and citizens who have honoured me with their votes, regardless of their political and party affiliations. Their trust and love honours me and makes me proud. I regret that we could not justify the hopes and expectations for a great progressive change that our country needs.
I would like to congratulate Nikos Christodoulides on his electoral victory and wish him good luck. Cyprus will always unite us.
As far as I am concerned, I remain active in the struggle for the common good and the reunification of our country. Thank you all."
In response to a journalist's question, Mavroyiannis said that he does not intend to remain on the political scene, but will remain an active citizen, "always ready, where and when my country needs me, to offer what I can and especially the advice from my long years of experience."
In response to a journalist's question, Mavroyiannis said that he does not intend to remain on the political scene, but will remain an active citizen, "always ready, where and when my country needs me, to offer what I can and especially the advice from my long years of experience.
Asked whether he has already contacted his running mate and winner of today's election, Mr. Nikos Christodoulides, Mavroyiannis replied in the affirmative. As for arranging a meeting between the two, he said that "it is not the time for that", but did not rule out such a possibility in the coming days.
Asked to comment on the fact that a large percentage of the Cypriot people honoured him with their vote and therefore want him in the political arena, Mavroyiannis said: "What happened is that yes, a very large percentage of the Cypriot people trusted me. This, as I said before, honours me and makes me proud. But I don't consider these people to be anything beyond people who have a level, who have decided based on their heart, based on a rational approach, based on their wisdom. And of course, it is up to them, under the circumstances, to continue to be active citizens and shape the future of this country."
Asked then what he would tell the newly elected President to watch out for, he said: "I don't like to give advice, but what is of immense importance to us is the reunification of our country, it is good governance, it is having institutions that work, it is our democracy. It's all those things that have to do with the quality of life of our people. Our country deserves more. Our people deserve much more and also, we have to think about the younger generations and how we shape tomorrow and the prospects for the future."
In response to a question about what he would do if the President of the Republic asked him to remain in the negotiating team on the Cyprus problem, Mavroyiannis said: "Look, I don't want to rule out anything. This is not my approach. What I have said is that if there is a need to advise on issues concerning the reunification of our country, I will always be ready. I would not want to have a more active, day-to-day role."
Asked finally where the next day will find him, Mavroyiannis said: "At home! As I said, at home. We must now collect everything we have here and there, and of course, rest as much as possible. And don't forget that I have a huge mission to accomplish, which is to the United Nations International Law Commission. It's already a long story."
(MK/SX)
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