Filenews 26 August 2023 - by Dora Christodoulou
In a special ceremony held on Friday evening at the Municipal Hall, the Municipality of Pafos awarded Senator Robert Menendez the title of honorary citizen of the city and presented him with the Golden Key of the city, in the presence of dignitaries and a large crowd.
In the reasoning of the decision of the Pafos Municipal Council to attribute the prices to Mr. Menendez emphasizes his long and tireless action to defend and guarantee respect for International Law, freedom, democracy, human rights and the rule of law as universal principles.
The gratitude of the citizens of Pafos is also expressed for their unwavering and consistent support over time for the lifting of the Turkish occupation of Cyprus and the restoration of basic human rights and fundamental freedoms for all Cypriots through the achievement of a viable and lasting solution to the Cyprus Problem that will reunite the country and its people.
It is also noted that Senator Menendez, at a critical juncture for humanity, is a shining example of an inspired politician who with his words and actions provides support to the weak against the strong and strengthens faith in justice in all its manifestations.
The decision concludes with the recognition of the fact that Senator Menendez, with his overall action to defend cases and interests of Hellenism of major importance, has emerged as a true and selfless philhellene, worthy of the gratitude and deep appreciation of Greeks everywhere.
Addressing Senator Menendez, the Mayor of Pafos, Phedon Phedonos, underlined that the Senator with his actions, initiatives and interventions proves daily and sends the heartfelt message that in the complex system of international relations with conflicting geopolitical and other interests it is possible to serve the legitimate interests of peoples and states through the exercise of foreign policy on the basis of the principles of International Law and democracy.
He went on to refer to the common bonds that unite the American and Greek nations, stressing the influence that the Founding Fathers of the United States received for their nation's struggle from ancient Greece and especially from the democracy of Pericles' Athens.
Before the ceremony, the Mayor of Pafos gave Senator Menendez a tour of the new campus under construction of the American University of Beirut – Mediterraneo, which will begin its operation in Paphos in the coming days.
In statements on the sidelines of the visit, the Mayor of Pafos stressed the importance of the operation in the city of Pafos of a University with the prestige and reputation of AUB, pointing out that this is an event of multiple importance for the wider region of the Eastern Mediterranean.
