The Council of Ministers on Wednesday announced the decisions taken regarding the honours to be accorded by the State to former President of the Republic Giorgos Vassiliou, who passed away late on Tuesday night.
Speaking to journalists following an extraordinary meeting of the Cabinet, Government Spokesman Konstantinos Letymbiotis said the session was convened exclusively to determine arrangements relating to the funeral of the former President of the Republic of Cyprus.
After a minute’s silence was observed, President of the Republic Nicos Christodoulides expressed the profound sorrow of the State over the loss of Giorgos Vassiliou. He noted that Vassiliou’s name became closely associated with efforts to promote economic development, social progress and the modernisation of the Cypriot state across all sectors. He also underlined Vassiliou’s decisive contribution to achieving the country’s foremost strategic objective, Cyprus’s European course.
It was further emphasised that until the end of his life, Giorgos Vassiliou remained committed to efforts for the resolution of the Cyprus problem and the reunification of the country, a goal that continues to constitute a national priority and historic duty for the Republic of Cyprus.
The Council of Ministers decided that the funeral of the former President will be held with the honours accorded to a serving President of the Republic. It also resolved to declare a period of state mourning from today until the day of the funeral. During this period, flags at all public buildings and schools will fly at half-mast as a mark of respect. In addition, Saturday, 17 January 2026, the day of the funeral, was declared a public holiday.
The Cabinet further decided that a book of condolences will be opened at the events hall of the Presidential Palace on Friday, 16 January 2026. The book will be available for signing by members of the Diplomatic Corps and state officials. The President of the Republic, members of the Council of Ministers, Deputy Ministers and the Government Spokesman will also sign the book.
The book of condolences will be open to state officials from 10.30am to 12.00pm, and to members of the Diplomatic Corps from 12.00pm to 3.00pm. In parallel, books of condolences will be opened at all diplomatic missions of the Republic of Cyprus abroad.
The Council of Ministers also approved the following text for inclusion in the book of condolences:
“With deep sorrow, we bid farewell to the former President of the Republic of Cyprus, Giorgos Vassiliou, and honour his contribution to his homeland, Cyprus. His role was decisive in achieving the paramount strategic goal of our country’s accession to the European Union, while until the end of his life he remained devoted to efforts for the resolution of the Cyprus problem and the reunification of our homeland.”
The President of the Republic and the entire Council of Ministers will attend the funeral, which will be held at public expense on Saturday, 17 January 2026, at 1.00pm, from the Church of Agia Sophia of God, in Strovolos.
The State expresses its sincere condolences to the family of the late former President of the Republic of Cyprus.