Cyprus Defence Minister’s funeral to be held today

Defence Minister Tasos Mitsopoulos, who passed away on Saturday aged 48, will be buried today, in his home town Larnaca.

President of the Republic of Cyprus Nicos Anastasiades will deliver the eulogy at the funeral, which will be held at the church of St. George Kontou in the southern coastal town of Larnaca, at the state’s expense.

Greek Minister of National Defence Demetris Avramopoulos will represent the Greek government, Prime Minister Antonis Samaras and the Presidency of the Council of the EU to the funeral.

The Council of Ministers has declared a three – day mourning until Tuesday, during which the flags of the Republic of Cyprus will fly at half mast at all military camps and government offices. During the mourning, all official events have been cancelled and the members of the government and other state officials will not be attending any public events.

All doxologies and parades for Tuesday`s celebration of Greek Independence Day will take place as scheduled, as an honour for the deceased, the Council of Ministers decided.

A book of condolences opened yesterday at the Ministry of Defence and will remain open until today. President Anastasiades and members of the Cabinet signed the book of condolences at the Ministry of Defence on Sunday morning.

Today, a book of condolences will open at the Embassy of the Republic of Cyprus in Athens as well as the Permanent Representation of the Republic in Brussels.

Mitsopoulos died on Saturday, a day after suffering a ruptured cerebral aneurysm.

All media, print and electronic, have banner headlines about today’s funeral, and praise the integrity and the ethos of the late Minister.

People from all walks of life and of different political affiliations have also paid tribute to Tasos Mitsopoulos, saying that he was a shining example of modesty, honesty and kindness.