“It has been 15 years since the untimely and tragic loss of Giannos Kranidiotis, a talented and insightful diplomat, a visionary patriot whose actions and efforts imparted fresh impetus to the foreign policy of Greece and Cyprus.
Giannos Kranidiotis was an exemplary public official with a keen sense of duty. Throughout his life and career, he was literally a living bridge between Greece and Cyprus, while his presence in public life was and continues to be a symbol of the continuous and unbroken common course of Greek and Cypriot Hellenism.
I had the good fortune and privilege to work closely with Giannos Kranidiotis, particularly during the period when the Republic of Cyprus began its course towards the European Union. And I know first-hand how much his successful, subtle political and diplomatic maneuvers contributed to the Republic of Cyprus’ being a secure and equal member state of the European Union today. He envisioned and worked hard for Cyprus’ accession to the European Union, deeming correctly that this development would be the catalyst for the reopening of the diplomatic efforts to end the occupation and reunite the island.
At a time when Hellenism is facing critical challenges, today we honor the memory of the politician and diplomat Giannos Kranidiotis, and we keep his political legacy alive, continuing, in close cooperation with the Cypriot government, his efforts to achieve a just and viable solution to the Cyprus issue.”
September 14, 2014