Cyprus President at Metropolitan Police Greek Staff Association celebrations

President of the Republic Demetris Christofias has said he was very pleased to have attended the 10th anniversary celebrations of the Metropolitan Police Service Greek Staff Association (MPSGSA) in London.

Speaking at the event, President Christofias said that in the ten years since its inception in 1999, the Greek Staff Association “has proved to be hugely successful in meeting its primary objectives”.

Referring to the accomplishments of the Association, President Christofias underlined that whether these refer to matters of recruitment and assistance towards the Metropolitan Police Service in Greek and Cypriot related issues or support towards its own numerous members “they deserve our appreciation and heartfelt congratulations”.

The President of the Republic emphasised the contribution of the Association to the 2004 Athens Summer Olympics.

“The work of the members of the Association during this global event was of critical significance in ensuring the provision of a safe and secure environment, for spectator and athlete alike, for the successful conduct of the Olympics” he said.

He described the social dimension of the Association’s activities as “perhaps the most important” activity, which, as he said, “provides a very useful outlet for its members to exchange ideas, discuss various issues and, of course, form, maintain and strengthen bonds of friendship and camaraderie between them”.

“These bonds” he added, “are developed between people of a distinct community and background that happen to live and work thousands of miles away from their homeland, the ancestral towns and villages of their parents and grandparents”.

The President of the Republic concluded his speech by congratulating the members of the Association “on becoming productive and successful members of the society in which they live” and “on maintaining and cultivating your sense of identity and never forgetting where they come from”.

The President is on a private visit to London. He returns home on Sunday.