European Council bids farewell to Anastasiades with Europa Building sculpture (video) (Updated)

The leaders of the European Council bid farewell to President Nicos Anastasiades as well as Irish Taoiseach Micheál Martin on Thursday night with a gift that is traditionally given to departing leaders, during the summit in Brussels.

In a tweet, the President of the European Council Charles Michel wrote: “Dear @AnastasiadesCY after almost ten years in this room, you are one of the most experienced members of the European Council.

“Thank you for all your work advancing the European project,” he continued, adding in Greek “a big thank you and heartfelt wishes for all the best!”

The traditional gifting took place during the dinner at the end of Thursday’s European Council.

Departing leaders receive a miniature sculpture of the oval of the Europa Building, where summits are held.

During the ceremony, a video tribute to Anastasiades was shown, for his valuable contribution and contribution to the EU.

For his part, Anastasiades said if he has one regret during his ten years in office, it is that he did not realise his vision of reunifying Cyprus and its people and urged them all to work closely with the island’s new president to find a solution, while at the same time influencing Turkey to participate constructively in the negotiations and refrain from any provocative and illegal actions against Cyprus.

“This is not the time to go into details. However, what I ask of all of you is to be concerned about the Cyprus problem. A problem, which is essentially European, since a member state of the European Union remains divided. As a member state of the European Union, Cyprus receives daily threats and suffers from violations against its sovereignty, as well as the unhindered implementation of its sovereign rights,” he concluded.

However, Anastasiades could return for a final extraordinary summit to be held on February 9-10 as the first round of elections for a new president will take place on February 5. The summit is expected to focus on issues of competitiveness and migration.

Dear @AnastasiadesCY after almost ten years in this room, you are one of the most experienced members of the European Council.

Thank you for all your work advancing the European project. #EUCO

Ένα μεγάλο ευχαριστώ και εγκάρδιες ευχές για ό,τι καλύτερο! pic.twitter.com/CI5ty0NLxM

— Charles Michel (@CharlesMichel) December 15, 2022