[PIO] The President of the Republic met with the Archbishop of America

The President of the Republic Mr Nicos Christodoulides had a meeting yesterday afternoon in New York with the Archbishop of America Mr Elpidophoros, in the presence of First Lady Philippa Carcera Christodoulides and members of the Cypriot delegation.

Welcoming the President of the Republic, the Archbishop of America expressed great joy and honor to welcome him to the Archdiocese, noting that "I personally have the pleasure of having met you before in other capacities of both of us".

He added that "I see you now in your new capacity which you so deservedly earned and the Cypriot people honored you with their vote and elevated you to the highest office.

The hopes of Cypriot Hellenism and Hellenism in general are on you because you are a young, dynamic and charismatic leader and I am sure that the Lord will bless you."

The hopes of Cypriot Hellenism and Hellenism in general are on you because you are a young, dynamic and charismatic leader and I am sure that the Lord will bless you. Bring good days to painful Cyprus, because the pain of Cyprus is the pain of all Hellenism. With all our blessings and prayers accompanying you, it is with great joy that I welcome you and your Excellency's wife and all your distinguished colleagues to the Archdiocese."

For his part, the President of the Republic said: "The pleasure and honour are mine. I certainly could not be in New York and not visit you, considering the longstanding role played by the Archdiocese, especially in the United States, which is the connecting link for our Diaspora, and for the Greek and Cypriot communities, on which we rely in our efforts to end the Turkish occupation and reunify Cyprus. Forty-nine years is too long.

At the same time, despite the difficulties, the problems, we do not forget, and this effort will end only when the blessed hour of reunification arrives.

We have launched a new effort that aims to highlight the benefits for all and for Cyprus of course, Turkey, Greece, the region, the EU, the US, through the resolution of the Cyprus problem, always on the basis of the agreed framework.

Despite the challenges, the difficulties, sometimes disappointments, we are here and we will do everything possible to achieve this goal.

The current state of affairs in Cyprus cannot be the solution of the Cyprus problem. It is a situation which poses daily dangers, we see what is happening in other areas in Europe and internationally, and we hope that with the help of the international community, with the help of the United States, which plays a decisive role, we will reach this blessed hour."

Subsequently, the Archbishop of America offered as a gift to the President of the Republic a commemorative volume published on the occasion of the 100 years of the presence of the Archdiocese of America, while to Mrs. Karsera Christodoulides he offered an icon of the Virgin Mary.

To the Archbishop of America the President of the Republic and his wife also offered commemorative gifts.

(PM/EP/SX)

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