Former President of the Republic of Cyprus, Tassos Papadopoulos, served his homeland with devotion and was in the vanguard of the difficult political life of Cyprus, which he did not abandon until his death, President of the Republic Demetris Christofias said Monday.
In his valedictory speech at the funeral of Tassos Papadopoulos, who passed away Friday, President Christofias said that the late President “served Cyprus and its people with devotion and passion and was characterized by his persistence on and resolve in his beliefs, his well founded arguments and the sincerity of his positions, which he fought to put into effect.”
“He never hesitated to express his views, irrespective of what the public opinion and the majority supported”, a visibly moved Christofias continued, as he addressed mourners at Saint Sofia church.
In a somber and very emotional atmosphere, President Christofias said that “despite this, he was a politician characterized by credibility, he enjoyed respect and broad appreciation, because our society knows how to appreciate and distinguish patriots who serve society with consistency”.
“Cypriot society appreciates politicians who have strong opinions which they defend without calculating any political cost, appreciates those politicians, who defend their views with passion without however exceeding the limits of ethical behaviour, decency and political culture”, he added.
“In this category of political men, Tassos Papadopoulos has a distinguished place”, President Christofias noted.
“Our respect and recognition for all he has offered to our homeland and our people, for all his struggles and his political actions, will accompany him during his long journey”, President Christofias said.
“Each one writes his own history. And Tassos Papadopoulos wrote a history full of action and struggle. A history, which is closely linked to the liberation struggle of our people and the eventful life of the Republic of Cyprus”, he continued.
President Christofias recalled that during the anti-colonial struggle against British rule, in the mid 50s, Archbishop Makarios III detected the abilities and knowledge of the then young Tassos Papadopoulos and later selected him to participate in the first Cabinet of the Republic of Cyprus.
“Since then, Tassos Papadopoulos was in the vanguard of a hard political arena, which he did not abandon, until his death”, he said.
The Cypriot President said that Tassos Papadopoulos had a profound knowledge of the Cyprus problem and its parameters.
But he said that his contribution to other areas of the society was equally important.
“The continuous preoccupation with the Cyprus issue possibly overshadows what he has offered in the economic and social affairs of our country, which is equally important”, he noted.
President Christofias referred to his “sincere, very human, harmonious and exemplary cooperation” with Tassos Papadopoulos.
He said their relations were characterised by respect for one another and added that their cooperation “became friendship when as President of the House of Representatives I cooperated with him but also later on when with our support he was elected President of the Republic”.
The Cypriot President said that “Tassos Papadopoulos leaves behind him a great contribution to the people of Cyprus and a broad recognition and respect of friends and political opponents”.
“Now he can begin his long journey, having a clear conscience that he carried out in full the duty and debt to his homeland and to our people”, President Christofias concluded.
The funeral service was held at Saint Sophia church in Nicosia, and was officiated by the head of the Cyprus Orthodox Church Archbishop Chrysostomos II.
Tassos Papadopoulos died of lung cancer on Friday at the Intensive Care Unit of Nicosia General Hospital. He was 74.
