UK Cypriots bid farewell to the outgoing Cyprus High Commissioner at a banquet in London, describing Evripides Evriviades as “a protector of the rights of the Cypriot people and a great friend of the community.”
Having completed six years in the post, veteran and well-travelled diplomat Evriviades retires after 43 years of service and returns home.
He will be replaced in early September by Ambassador Andreas Kakouris, presently Head of the Foreign Ministry’s Middle East and North Africa Directorate in Nicosia.
Attending the farewell dinner, hosted by the National Federation of Cypriots in the U.K. at the premises of the Cypriot Brotherhood in Finchley, were Foreign Minister Nicos Christodoulides, Government Spokesman Prodromos Prodromou, Bishop Athanasios, the Greek ambassador to the U.K. Demetrios Karamitsos-Tziras and leaders of community organisations.
Prodromou briefed the members of the Federation about the latest European Commission decisions and developments surrounding Turkey’s actions within the Cyprus exclusive economic zone (EEZ), the role of the British government and MPs, and how best to promote the interests of Cyprus within the decision-making bodies of the U.K.
After holding a minute of silence in honour of the victims of the 1974 coup and Turkish invasions, as well as in memory of the late President Demetris Christofias and House President and Famagusta Mayor Alexis Galanos, Federation Chairman Christos Karaolis praised the close cooperation they enjoyed with Ambassador Evriviades from the day one.
“He retires after a distinguished and fruitful work during troubled and tough times in the uneven struggles of Cyprus, to liberate itself from Turkish occupation and the reinstatement of human rights of all Cypriots,” Karaolis said.
He added that throughout his services, Evriviades was supported by his wife, Nasia, who deservedly represented all Cypriot women in Britain, thus enhancing the High Commissioner’s role.
Recounting Evriviades’ long service in the diplomatic corps, Christodoulides said he served in Bonn, Moscow, Tel Aviv, Strasbourg, Washington and London, and was the second diplomat to serve for more than five years in a post, because of great demand from the community.
Christodoulides recalled when he was a student in the U.S. back in 1993, Evriviades had advised him that in order for someone to effectively promote the interests of his country, he needs to fully understand the subjects which concern his audience and must be well prepared, avoiding being monotonous.
He then jokingly referred to how he in turn advised Evriviades about the importance of Twitter as a valuable digital tool in modern-day diplomacy, of which he has now become a master.
He believed that Evriviades’ knowledge, experience and capabilities would be appreciated and put to good use by the Cyprus government.
The outgoing High Commissioner described his rich diplomatic service as a mission and that representing the Republic of Cyprus had been his “oxygen, passion, DNA, love and joy, but at the same time my sorrow that my homeland remains divided.”
Evriviades made special mention of the role of the Church and especially Archbishop Gregorios, whom he considered a “spiritual giant”, wishing every success to new Archbishop Nikitas.
Referring to the role of the Cypriot community in engaging British politicians, Evriviades said “we should always give a clear message that we are part of the solution, not part of the problem”.
He said the Cyprus High Commission’s contribution is key in relations with the Commonwealth and international bodies, such as the International Maritime Organisation.
