Filenews 14 January 2026
The decisions taken by the Council of Ministers regarding the honours that will be paid by the State to the former President of the Republic Giorgos Vassiliou, who passed away late last night, were announced in the afternoon by the Government Spokesman, Mr. Konstantinos Letympiotis.
In his statements to journalists, after the extraordinary meeting of the Council of Ministers, Mr. Letympiotis said that the meeting took place "with the sole object of making decisions regarding the funeral of the former President of the Republic of Cyprus, Giorgos Vassiliou. After a one-minute silence was observed by the Council of Ministers, the President of the Republic, Mr. Nikos Christodoulides, expressed the deep sorrow of the State for the loss of the former President of the Republic, noting that the name of George Vassiliou was identified with the effort for the economic development of our country, the social progress of our people and the modernization of the Cypriot State in all areas, while his contribution to the achievement of the top strategic goal of Cyprus' European course was decisive.
It was also underlined that until the end of his life he was dedicated to the effort for the solution of the Cyprus problem and the reunification of our homeland, a goal that remains a national priority and a historical duty for the Republic of Cyprus.
The Council of Ministers decided that the funeral of the former President of the Republic of Cyprus, George Vassiliou, will be held with honours of the current President of the Republic of Cyprus. He also decided to declare public mourning from today until the day of the funeral. During public mourning, flags in all public buildings and schools will be flown at half-mast, as a sign of honour. Furthermore, it was decided that the day of the funeral, Saturday, January 17, 2026, be declared a public holiday.
At the same time, it was decided to open a book of condolences in the event hall of the Presidential Palace, on Friday, January 16, 2026, which will be able to be signed by the Members of the Diplomatic Corps and State Officials, while the book of condolences will be signed by the President of the Republic, the members of the Council of Ministers, the Deputy Ministers and the Government Spokesman.
The book of condolences will be open to State Officials from 10.30am to 12pm, while for the Diplomatic Corps from 12pm to 3pm.
In addition, it was decided to open books of condolences to all diplomatic missions of the Republic of Cyprus.
The Council of Ministers approved, for submission in the book of condolences, the following text to be signed for the deceased former President of the Republic: 'It is with heavy mourning that we bid farewell to the former President of the Republic of Cyprus George Vassiliou and honour his contribution to his homeland, Cyprus. George Vassiliou's contribution to the achievement of the top strategic goal for our country's accession to the European Union was decisive, while until the end of his life he was dedicated to the effort for the solution 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, January 17, 2026 at 13.00, from the Holy Church of the Wisdom of God in Strovolos.
The State expresses its condolences to the family of the deceased former President of the Republic of Cyprus."
