Anastasiades signs book of condolences for late Labour Minister Zeta Emilianidou

President Nicos Anastasiades on Thursday signed the book of condolences following the death of Labour Minister Zeta Emilianidou, who passed away on Monday after suffering a cerebral aneurysm last month.

Along with Anastasiades, the book was also signed by members of the cabinet and by the government spokesman.

“The president and the entire cabinet are devastated by the loss of our beloved Zeta, our labour minister,” Anastasiades wrote in the book.

“For more than nine years she graced the country’s political scene with her presence,” he said, adding that: “Her loss that is not just tragic for the government, but for also for the entire country, society and citizens.

“Our cabinet’s vision of a strong welfare state would not have been possible without the personal stamp of Zeta Emilianidou, a woman with strong acumen, a high sense of responsibility, creativity and efficiency.

“But even more than that, her best traits were empathy, modesty and humanity, which were all underlined by the universal recognition of the people in the country. Dear Zeta, we will remember you forever,” Anastasiades wrote in the book.

People will be able to sign the book from 8am to 3pm on Friday.

Three days of mourning in honour of the former minister were announced by cabinet on Wednesday.

Cabinet also decided that Emilianidou will be buried with the honours of a government minister and that the state will pay for the funeral, which is to be held at Ayia Sophia church in Strovolos on Friday. She will lie in state between 8am and 10am, with the funeral to be held at 11am.