Source: CNA
The Israeli Presidency announced on Tuesday evening that Cyprus President Nicos Anastasiades will be awarded on Wednesday the Presidential Medal of Honor by his Israeli counterpart Yitzhak Herzog.
The official award ceremony will take place at 12 noon local time and Cyprus time at the Presidential Palace in Jerusalem.
This is the highest honor awarded by the State of Israel since 2012, following the initiative of the late President of Israel, Shimon Peres, to award it to those “who have made an outstanding contribution to the State of Israel or to humanity, through their talents, services, or in any other form.”
This distinction has been awarded so far to 26 personalities from Israel and abroad.
Since the assumption of Herzog's duties in July 2021, US President, Joe Biden, and Czech President Milos Zeman, have been honored with the same distinction.
In the explanatory note of the selection committee it is stated, among others, that "Nicos Anastassiades’ presidential term, from 2013 until today, is intertwined with saving the economy of Cyprus and strengthening the position of his country internationally" adding that "Under his administration, Cyprus has been a loyal partner of Israel, promoting the importance of close bilateral ties, political proximity and the cultivation of feelings of mutual respect."
The selection committee added that "President Anastasiades is an important player in the deepening of the trilateral relations between Israel, Greece and Cyprus, relations of key strategic importance for the State of Israel, which President Anastasiades also sees as a pillar of the joint long-term policy."
It concludes that "President Anastassiades is a true friend of Israel, who believes that the closeness and mutual respect between Israel and Cyprus do not just belong in the realm of diplomacy, but stem from true feelings of friendship between the two countries."
Tomorrow's awarding ceremony will take place at the Central Hall of the Presidential Palace in Jerusalem, with the participation of an IDF Honour Guard and the IDF Band, in the presence of President Anastasiades' spouse Andrie, Government Spokesperson Marios Pelekanos, members of the Cypriot diplomatic mission accredited to Israel, officials of the Israeli diplomatic service and other official guests.
Following the ceremony, the two Presidents will make public statements to the Press.
