Cyprus President Nicos Anastasiades attended a reception at Buckingham Palace hosted by HRH The Prince of Wales to celebrate the Cyprus-UK ties, and the contribution of Cypriots to British society.
Guests included more than 150 scientists, businessmen, artists, academics, professionals and other members of the Cypriot diaspora that have excelled in their field.
They included Nobel prize winner Christopher Pissarides, pioneering fetal surgeon Kypros Nicolaides, business tycoon Theo Paphites, wealthy investor Toukar Souleyman, artist Tracey Emin, psychologist Linda Papadopoulos, members of the Leventis and Lazari families.
It was the first time the Cypriot diaspora and the bilateral ties were celebrated at Buckingham Palace in such a way.
“Tonight’s event offers us the opportunity to celebrate the long-lasting friendship and enduring bonds between our two countries and peoples,” said President Anastasiades in his speech.
He reminded the audience that these bonds were also celebrated last year, on the occasion of the centenary since the end of WWI, during which 16,000 Cypriots fought alongside the British.
During WWII, added the President, more than 60,000 Cypriots joined the struggle against fascism, among which former President of Cyprus and his “mentor” Glafcos Clerides.
“Our history and journey has been one of constant evolution, based on trust and numerous synergies on a wide range of issues.”
Anastasiades praised Her Majesty The Queen’s leadership of the Commonwealth and said he has no doubt that Prince Charles will be “equally successful” as the next head of the Commonwealth family.
“Cyprus has been an active member of the Commonwealth since 1960 and I wish to assure of Cyprus’ determination to continue playing a dynamic role in implementing our joint agenda, particularly in increasingly important global challenges such as climate change, sustainable development, research and innovation, protection of cultural heritage and of the environment,” said President Anastasiades.
He stressed the important relations between the Cypriot and the British people, as demonstrated by the more than 300,000 people of Cypriot descent living in the UK and the more than one million annual British visitors to the island.
HRH The Prince of Wales started his speech by praising the “indispensable contribution” of UK Cypriots to the UK and the Commonwealth.
He noted that the island of Cyprus has been capturing the imagination of the British who have been falling in love with it.
He also highlighted the joint efforts of the two peoples during the two World Wars and he then briefly referred to the development of the UK Cypriot community, first in north London and later on in other areas of the UK.
“Wherever they settled, these communities thrived and over the years they have made the most tremendous difference to our society, to our economy and to our culture,” said Prince Charles.
He then commented, jokingly, that when shortages of halloumi cheese were reported in the UK last summer the situation was considered to be “nothing short of a national crisis”.
He praised the leadership that Cyprus and President Anastasiades have been showing as representatives of small island countries and on a series of issues relating to the environment, such as the blue economy, agriculture and the Commonwealth’s Blue Charter.
