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- Ελληνικά
The President of the Republic Mr.Nikos Christodoulides, accompanied by his wife Mrs.Philippa Karseras Christodoulides, attended a dinner hosted in his honour by the Federation of Cypriot Organizations of America in New York on September 22, 2023.
The event, which was also attended by the Archbishop of America, Mr. Archbishop of America.
In his address to the event, the President of the Republic said, among other things. I wish first of all to express to you both my personal thanks and the deepest appreciation and gratitude of the Government and the Cypriot people for the strong and uninterrupted support of the Federation of Cypriot Organizations of America and the entire Greek Cypriot community for our Cyprus.
I feel strongly that I am among friends, good friends and close, long-time associates, with some of whom we came to New York to study. I lived in New York for five years as a student, and I have family here whom I love very much and who are with us tonight. New York was, and I feel it still is, my home, where I studied, where I grew up, where I learned so much and so much from all of you.
Although I have been gone for years, this city, and more importantly all of you, continue to always be in my heart, both because of what we went through together and the relationships I built and continue to build with all of you and because you have taught me so much. As I have said many times, I consider it a blessing that in living these years with you, you have further strengthened my feelings of philanthropy, selflessness and the importance of working for our country.
Since its inception, the Federation of Cypriot Organizations of America has been doing great work, as everyone recognizes, and has played an important role in the communities of the Greek Cypriot community, promoting, among many other things, ties with the homeland and, of course, helping to enlighten the American political leadership and public opinion about the struggle of the Cypriot people for justice and freedom.
I want tonight, on behalf of the State of Cyprus, on behalf of all past Presidents and the entire Cypriot people, to thank you warmly for the enduring support you have given to all Cypriot governments without exception. Through your actions, your deeds, you not only demonstrate your selflessness but, as I have said in the past, you all belong to one party, and that is Cyprus, and that is very important for us. Your commitment to the need to resolve the Cyprus problem and your sincere concern for our country fill us with strength and with feelings of heavy responsibility to continue our efforts for liberation, for ending the occupation and reunification of our homeland.
At the same time, I would be remiss if I did not mention the role you all play in developing and deepening our bilateral relations with the United States.
At the same time, I would be remiss if I did not mention the role you all play in developing and deepening our bilateral relations with the United States. Relations which have been strengthened very significantly in recent years. The fact that the Republic of Cyprus is now seen as a reliable partner and a pillar of security and stability in the Eastern Mediterranean region and the wider Middle East is also due to your efforts over the years. It is something that gives me great pleasure, fills me with feelings of optimism and I am truly delighted that so many young people are with us tonight. NEPOMAC America, with its own activities, with its actions, bridges the generations and contributes decisively to the achievement of the goals that are set."
President Christodoulides went on to say that Cyprus-US relations have historically reached the highest level in recent years, in various fields."
He added that in 2018, in his capacity as Foreign Minister, he and US Assistant Secretary of State Wess Mitchell signed a Declaration on Security Cooperation, which was quickly implemented through various measures, including the establishment of the CYCLOPS centre.
As the President said: "We were able to achieve this because of the great leadership of the 70th US Secretary of State Mr. Mike Pompeo, whom we honor tonight. Moreover, it was during Mr. Pompeo's visit to Cyprus in September 2020 that we signed a Memorandum of Understanding on CYCLOPS."
President Christodoulides also praised Mr. Pompeo's important role in the issue of lifting the arms embargo, which links the former Secretary of State's name to a historic development in bilateral relations.
As he added "By further enriching this important relationship, which both Nicosia and Washington consider to be of strategic importance, we will continue to rely on the very important role of our Diaspora in the US, which proves every day that its tireless efforts and commitment yield tangible results.
The event was also addressed by the President of the Federation of Cypriot Organizations of America Mr. Kyriakos Papastylianou, the President of PACE Mr. Philip Christopher and the Archbishop of America, who praised the efforts made by the President of the Republic to vindicate the struggle of the Cypriot people, as well as the contribution and personality of the President of the Republic.
The Freedom Award was then presented to Mr Pompeo, who, due to bad weather conditions, was unable to attend the event in person, however, he welcomed the event via videoconference.
In his address to the President of the Republic, Mr Pompeo said: "You are a great friend, but also a great leader for the people of Cyprus. Congratulations on your election, which was well deserved, and I know you will do great things for the people of your country."
He also referred, among other things, to what he described as the strong cooperation with Greece, Cyprus and Israel in the Mediterranean region and noted that this cooperation will continue.
(PM/MB)
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