President Nikos Christodoulides announced the creation of a committee of wise men with the participation of Cypriots abroad who have distinguished themselves in various fields in order to utilise “the Cypriot capital that excels abroad”.

The president said the committee would be a thinktank bringing together great Cypriot minds to assist the government and that he would be presenting it in early 2025.

The announcement was made during a ceremony at the presidential palace on Tuesday evening to present the Nemitsas 2024 award in classic ballet to Ioanna Avraam.

Christodoulides said it was among the state’s obligations to support Ioanna and other young people in the arts.

Ioanna Avraam, who has excelled abroad, said her dream was to dance in Famagusta, in ancient Salamina, in a free and unified Cyprus.

She also called on the president to invest more in culture and promote the arts in schools.