NEW YORK, Sept. 23, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/
-- AJC honored Cypriot President Nicos
Anastasiades with the global advocacy organization's
prestigious Light Unto the Nations Award for his steadfast defense
of democratic values, relentless pursuit of peace, and unwavering
commitment to friendship with the United
States and Israel.
David Harris, AJC's Chief
Executive Officer, who has met with President Anastasiades many
times in Cyprus and New York, presented the award. Honorary AJC
President Stanley Bergman welcomed
the nearly 100 guests to his home, where the event took place.
John Shapiro, AJC President,
concluded the session.
"As the Prophet Isaiah said, the highest calling in life is
peace or "eirini" in Greek, but to have peace requires courage
('tharros') and wisdom ('sofia'). President Anastasiades has shown
these qualities in his determination to reunite his island nation
peacefully, and in his genuine friendship to the United States and Jewish people," said
Harris.
Anastasiades said he is "immensely proud" to receive AJC's Light
Unto the Nations Award. Saluting the close, cooperative partnership
developed over the years between his country and AJC, the president
said the award is "a testament to our joint belief in advancing
closer Cypriot-Israeli cooperation and strengthening regional
synergies and transatlantic relations."
"AJC, through its longstanding cooperation with the Hellenic
diaspora, has been instrumental, indeed the architect, of the
quadrilateral partnership developed among the U.S., Greece, Israel and Cyprus," said Anastasiades. "We count on AJC's
indispensable support in continuing to deepen Cyprus-Israel
ties."
"AJC has demonstrated that it is a trustworthy and tireless
advocate of our common values and vision for the region," that are
based on shared principles of democracy, tolerance, peace and the
fight against anti-Semitism, he said.
"Israel is a very important
strategic partner and a stabilizing force in the Middle East region," said the president,
adding that Cyprus will continue
to "advocate in support of the security of the State of Israel, and call for refraining from
unilateral measures which could detrimentally affect EU-Israeli
relations."
On anti-Semitism, President Anastasiades referred to the many
Cypriot municipal leaders who signed AJC's Mayors United Against
Anti-Semitism statement as a concrete example of his country's
commitment to fight anti-Semitism. "Anti-Semitism is an evil that
must be eradicated to the full," he said. More than 500 European
and U.S. mayors, including 22 mayors from Cyprus, joined the initiative earlier this
year.
The president expressed optimism that an agreement will be
reached for the peaceful reunification of the island, which would
bring an end, he said, to the 42-year-old Turkish occupation of 40
percent of the country. "The Turkish contribution in concrete terms
is critical," he said.
The award was presented at an AJC breakfast event on the
sidelines of the UN General Assembly opening. Senior national AJC
leadership, top representatives of the American Greek and Cypriot
communities, and several Israeli diplomats attended the
ceremony.
To view the original version on PR Newswire,
visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/ajc-honors-cyprus-president-anastasiades-300333396.html
SOURCE American Jewish Committee