Cyprus bid farewell to George Vassiliou on Saturday, the country’s third president, European visionary and staunch supporter of a federal solution to the island’s 50-year division. He was 94.
His funeral will take place with presidential honours at the Tis Tou Theou Sophias Cathedral in Nicosia at 1pm on Saturday, declared a national holiday. All flags have been flying half mast since Tuesday.
The former president’s death was announced on Tuesday by his wife of 59 years, former European Commissioner for Education, Culture, Multilingualism and Youth, Androulla Vassiliou.
“After two years of suffering, my beloved George, my life partner of 59 years, passed away peacefully in our arms at Nicosia General. It is difficult to say goodbye to this man who was an exceptional husband and father, a man full of kindness and love for his country and people,” she said.
Tributes poured in from local politicians and foreign leaders, as well as business communities.
George Vassiliou was elected president in 1988 as an independent candidate supported by the left-wing AKEL party and served for one term up to 1993.
He was an accomplished businessman and sought-after economist, trying to introduce private sector procedures to make the rigid public sector more flexible and competitive, while freezing new hiring in the civil service. During his presidency, he implemented a number of social, tax and economic reforms, achieved a period of strong economic growth and nearly doubled the per capita GDP.
His administration carried out major tax reforms, established the University of Cyprus in 1992 and laid the foundations to create the Cyprus Institute. He abolished the state monopoly on broadcast media, allowing private TV and radio channels to flourish, encouraging freedom of speech.
In public service, Vassiliou dismantling the police practice of maintaining files on citizens’ political beliefs, while he imposed a moratorium on hotel and property development, in order to focus on building up a quality tourist destination.
Vassiliou was a proponent of a bizonal, bicommunal solution to the Cyprus problem, negotiating the Ghali Set of Ideas and territorial readjustments, and often present at National Council meetings, providing words of wisdom and realistic guidance.
He was the chief negotiator for Cyprus’s accession to the European Union from 1998 to 2003, an effort that laid the groundwork for the country’s EU entry in 2004. He remained an active participant in international political and social organisations and was a frequent attendant at the Davos economic forum.
He also played a key role in supporting and promoting shipping, handling a tough package of negotiations during the EU accession process, allowing Cyprus to become the shipping cluster it is today, a respected flag and with a competitive tax package.
President Nikos Christodoulides said Vassiliou’s name “was identified with the effort for the economic development of our homeland, the social progress of our people and the modernisation of the Cypriot state in all sectors.
“George Vassiliou’s contribution was decisive in achieving the top strategic goal of our country’s accession to the European Union, while until the end of his life he was dedicated to the effort for the resolution of the Cyprus problem and the reunification of our homeland.”
Writing in the book of condolences on Friday, House President and leader of the Disy party Annita Demetriou said George Vassiliou “was one of the most important figures in our modern political history. As President of the Republic, he distinguished himself for his boldness and dynamism, his visionary and entrepreneurial spirit, and his tireless efforts to solve our national problem.
“Thanks to his extroversion and mobility, he also achieved the institutional and social modernisation of the State. We also owe George Vassiliou the establishment of our public university, investing in the scientific potential and the economic and cultural development of the country.
“Above all, his fundamental contribution to the integration of our country into the European Union is indelibly inscribed in our memory. He leaves behind for all of us an irreplaceable void and a heavy political legacy. I express my sincere condolences to his family and loved ones.”
AKEL Secretary General Stefanos Stefanou said, “I bid farewell with respect and appreciation to George Vassiliou. He left a strong positive imprint of his presence and interventions in the public affairs of our country. His term as president transformed Cyprus, the economy and society. A visionary, honest, moderniser, realist and rationalist, he always sought solutions behind the problems. Meetings with him evolved into discussions about a Cyprus of peace, progress and prosperity.
Also expected to attend the funeral service are Turkish Cypriot leader Tufan Erhurman and former leader Mustafa Akinci.
European Commission President Ursula von der
His funeral will take place with presidential honours at the Tis Tou Theou Sophias Cathedral in Nicosia at 1pm on Saturday, declared a national holiday. All flags have been flying half mast since Tuesday.
The former president’s death was announced on Tuesday by his wife of 59 years, former European Commissioner for Education, Culture, Multilingualism and Youth, Androulla Vassiliou.
“After two years of suffering, my beloved George, my life partner of 59 years, passed away peacefully in our arms at Nicosia General. It is difficult to say goodbye to this man who was an exceptional husband and father, a man full of kindness and love for his country and people,” she said.
Tributes poured in from local politicians and foreign leaders, as well as business communities.
George Vassiliou was elected president in 1988 as an independent candidate supported by the left-wing AKEL party and served for one term up to 1993.
He was an accomplished businessman and sought-after economist, trying to introduce private sector procedures to make the rigid public sector more flexible and competitive, while freezing new hiring in the civil service. During his presidency, he implemented a number of social, tax and economic reforms, achieved a period of strong economic growth and nearly doubled the per capita GDP.
His administration carried out major tax reforms, established the University of Cyprus in 1992 and laid the foundations to create the Cyprus Institute. He abolished the state monopoly on broadcast media, allowing private TV and radio channels to flourish, encouraging freedom of speech.
In public service, Vassiliou dismantling the police practice of maintaining files on citizens’ political beliefs, while he imposed a moratorium on hotel and property development, in order to focus on building up a quality tourist destination.
Vassiliou was a proponent of a bizonal, bicommunal solution to the Cyprus problem, negotiating the Ghali Set of Ideas and territorial readjustments, and often present at National Council meetings, providing words of wisdom and realistic guidance.
He was the chief negotiator for Cyprus’s accession to the European Union from 1998 to 2003, an effort that laid the groundwork for the country’s EU entry in 2004. He remained an active participant in international political and social organisations and was a frequent attendant at the Davos economic forum.
He also played a key role in supporting and promoting shipping, handling a tough package of negotiations during the EU accession process, allowing Cyprus to become the shipping cluster it is today, a respected flag and with a competitive tax package.
President Nikos Christodoulides said Vassiliou’s name “was identified with the effort for the economic development of our homeland, the social progress of our people and the modernisation of the Cypriot state in all sectors.
“George Vassiliou’s contribution was decisive in achieving the top strategic goal of our country’s accession to the European Union, while until the end of his life he was dedicated to the effort for the resolution of the Cyprus problem and the reunification of our homeland.”
Writing in the book of condolences on Friday, House President and leader of the Disy party Annita Demetriou said George Vassiliou “was one of the most important figures in our modern political history. As President of the Republic, he distinguished himself for his boldness and dynamism, his visionary and entrepreneurial spirit, and his tireless efforts to solve our national problem.
“Thanks to his extroversion and mobility, he also achieved the institutional and social modernisation of the State. We also owe George Vassiliou the establishment of our public university, investing in the scientific potential and the economic and cultural development of the country.
“Above all, his fundamental contribution to the integration of our country into the European Union is indelibly inscribed in our memory. He leaves behind for all of us an irreplaceable void and a heavy political legacy. I express my sincere condolences to his family and loved ones.”
AKEL Secretary General Stefanos Stefanou said, “I bid farewell with respect and appreciation to George Vassiliou. He left a strong positive imprint of his presence and interventions in the public affairs of our country. His term as president transformed Cyprus, the economy and society. A visionary, honest, moderniser, realist and rationalist, he always sought solutions behind the problems. Meetings with him evolved into discussions about a Cyprus of peace, progress and prosperity.
Also expected to attend the funeral service are Turkish Cypriot leader Tufan Erhurman and former leader Mustafa Akinci.
European Commission President Ursula von der