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- Ελληνικά
The highest honorary distinction of the Republic of Cyprus was awarded today, at the Presidential Palace, by President Nicos Anastasiades to the President of Israel Isaac Herzog, who is on an official visit to Cyprus.
Speaking at the ceremony where the President of Israel was decorated with the Grand Cross of the Order of Makarios III, the President of the Republic referred to the ties that the President of Israel has with Cyprus, as his grandparents lived on the island and were part of the society of the 1930s, while his family provided significant assistance during World War II to Jews who arrived in Cyprus.
He also praised President Herzog's important role in the current excellent relations between Cyprus and Israel, and particularly in the cooperation between the Cyprus-Greece-Israel Diaspora.
He added that Cyprus has recently been granted observer status in the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance, and as a sign of Cyprus' strong commitment to respect for diversity and the fight against anti-Semitism in all its forms.
He also pointed out that the Republic of Cyprus is an advocate for the creation of a culture of dialogue and understanding between the states of our turbulent region.
For his part, the President of Israel, among other things, thanked President Anastasiades for what he has done to strengthen bilateral relations between Cyprus and Israel, and for his deep commitment to human values and the fight against intolerance and anti-Semitism.
He added that he himself is a great friend of Cyprus and referred at length to his family's close ties with the island.
He also referred to Cyprus' help in serving as a refuge for thousands of Jews during World War II, which he said was an expression of the special values of the people of Cyprus.
He added that he accepted today's honour on behalf of all those thousands of Jewish refugees.
Finally, he extended an invitation to the President of the Republic to visit Israel, expressing his wish to receive a similar honorary distinction, while stressing the principles by which President Anastasiades is conducting his term of office.
The decoration ceremony was followed by a banquet hosted by the President of the Republic of Israel in honour of the President of Israel.
(PM/MG/EXP)
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