President affirms loyalty to Cyprus during Zakynthos visit with Ecumenical Patriarch

The President of the Hellenic Republic Prokopis Pavlopoulos reaffirmed Greece’s commitment to defend the sovereignty of Cyprus during a dinner, in the presence of Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew and Cyprus Archbishop Chrysostomos.

Pavlopoulos made the statements during a dinner Thursday night held at the Monastery of Aghios Dionysios on the island of Zakynthos on the occasion marking the 300th anniversary since the relic of Zakynthos’ patron saint was transferred there from the Strofades islands.

“Whatever we do for Cyprus, we do not only do for the island but also because it is a member of the European Union. A reduction of Cyprus’ sovereignty means a reduction of EU sovereignty and this is in no way acceptable,” said the president.

Pavlopoulos also noted that solidarity was “the foundation upon which our common European building is based” and that, without solidarity, “Europe cannot go ahead.”

“The role of Europe is not limited to its people. The role of real Europe, as envisioned by its founders, is universal. And this role is not about economic power, it is not about military power. Europe was not built to become the world’s most powerful economic or military power. It was made to teach, through the example of its peoples and its culture, that people are at the centre… And that the principles of humanity are the ones to prevail,” he added.

During his visit on the fire-stricken island of Zakynthos the president took a 40-minute flight with a fire brigade helicopter above the areas burnt in recent fires, accompanied by Justice Minister Stavros Kontonis – an MP for Zakynthos, the Ionian Islands Regional governor Theodoros Galiatsatos and Fire Brigade Chief Lieutenant General Vassilios Kapelios.

Pavlopoulos later thanked the men and women of the fire brigade for their efforts and “proving that the fire brigade does its duty in a way that exceeds even its own capability.”

The President then attended a meeting to discuss the destructive fires at the regional authority and concluded his visit to Zakynthos on Thursday evening, when he attended a procession carrying the relic of Aghios Dionysios through the main town.