NEW YORK – Reiterating the firm belief that “every obstacle is for good and every comfort for evil,” Libra Group Executive Chairman George Logothetis was honored with the Philanthropy Award presented by the Federation of Cypriot-American Organizations (FCAO), during their annual Testimonial Dinner, which is held every year at the end of the UN General Assembly week in New York, in the presence of the President and the government staff of the Republic of Cyprus.

Logothetis, who made a speech full of examples and with an emphasis on the value of continuous effort, perseverance, and sincere charity, praised, among other things, the Republic of Cyprus and the Greek Cypriot people, stating, among other things, that this is a a country which managed to take steps forward, despite the fact that for 50 years it has been experiencing the grim reality of the Turkish occupation of a large part of the island.

“You took all that pain from 50 years ago and built a modern, popular and international, happy place. I congratulate you all for this. I want to conclude with my trip to Cyprus, this year a few months ago. I went to the University of Nicosia, met the students – your future is bright! Full of diversity, good male-female ratio, international students, forward-looking, innovative thinkers. I was really proud. You wonder: Why do suffering souls create virtuous people? It’s something I’ve wondered about all my life,” said the Executive Chairman of the Libra Group, citing as an example the former Governor of the European Central Bank, Chrystalla Georghadji, who, despite being abruptly uprooted from Famagusta at a young age, nevertheless built an impressive career.

“Chrystalla Georghadji told me the story where her parents in Famagusta told her one day to get in the car, get up and leave. She got up, left and never came back. There are some encounters that I always remember and some encounters that always resonate. ‘George, I have no memories of my childhood,’ [she said]. What did she do with her life after that? Educated, she became Governor of the European Central Bank. This is the history of Cyprus. Bold, brave, and courageous,” said Logothetis.

At the same time, the Executive Chairman of the Libra Group added that even anger or frustration can, if used constructively, be used as motivation for something positive, giving as an example his reaction during the crisis period, when the constant insults to international business meetings about Greece and the Greeks, pushed him to organize actions to strengthen the people of his homeland, while he pointed out meaningfully that “if through charity you seek recompense then it is not about charity, but about operational action and public relationships.”

At the same event, AHEPA Supreme President Savas Tsivicos was honored with the Justice for Cyprus Award, in recognition of his participation in the efforts of the Greek Cypriot diaspora to contribute to a just and sustainable solution to the Cyprus problem.

Among those present were First Lady of the Republic of Cyprus Philippa Karsera, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Cyprus Constantinos Kombos, government representative Konstantinos Letymbiotis, special representative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Thessalia Shambos, negotiator Menelaos Menelaou, Deputy Director of the President’s Diplomatic Office Doros Venezis, Ambassador of Cyprus to the U.S. Evangelos Savva, Permanent Representative of Greece to the UN Evangelos Sekeris, Permanent Representative of Cyprus to the UN Maria Michail, Consul General of Greece in New York Iphigenia Kanara, Consul General of Cyprus in New York Michalis Firillas, Archbishop Elpidophoros of America, New York State Assemblyman Michael Tannousis, Rhode Island State Senator Leonidas Raptakis, and the OXI Day Foundation Executive Director Mike Manatos.

The coordinator of the program was the journalist Rania Aniftos and the National Anthems of Greece and the USA were performed by Greek-American singer Annet Artani.

“The battle continues”

In his remarks, President of the Republic of Cyprus Nikos Christodoulides referred again to his personal ties with the Hellenic-American diaspora, from the time he was a student at Queens College in the early 1990s, expressing the in general appreciation of the Republic of Cyprus for the selfless efforts of Cypriot Hellenism in the USA to end the Turkish occupation.

“Let me express our appreciation for your constant support. The support of our diaspora in the USA – and in particular of our Federation. I know very well that though you are on the other side of the Atlantic, no matter how many years you have passed away from our beloved homeland, your love for Cyprus remains unquenchable and the ties are forever strong. Therefore, you have Cyprus in your mind, in your heart and you show it in practice without expecting anything in return,” noted President Christodoulides, adding that “it is worth mentioning that this love, this concern, this interest of yours for Cyprus is passed on to the younger generations.”

In addition, Christodoulides made it clear that the current situation in Cyprus cannot be accepted as legal, pledging that his government will continue to work towards a just solution.

“Half a century since the dark summer of 1974, let’s choose not to remain in sadness and disappointment, but with more persistence and determination to clearly do more to liberate our country. We have the first responsibility to do everything possible to liberate our country. This year’s status quo cannot be the solution for Cyprus, the future of our country, and we see what is happening in our neighborhood. There are no frozen conflicts and the situation as it is in Cyprus poses very serious risks. Our priority is the end of the occupation and the resolution of the Cyprus issue within the agreed framework,” said Christodoulides.

On behalf of the Federation, FCAO President Kyriacos Papastylianou, addressing President Christodoulides, encouraged him and his government “to continue efforts to restart the talks in order to find a sustainable solution where Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots will live in peace, without troops and guarantor forces,” while he welcomed the investment relations that are being built with the USA.

For his part, PSEKA President Philip Christopher made an extensive reference to the 50 years of Turkish occupation in Cyprus and the frustration that prevails over the situation for restoring order and justice, stressing that he will never stop talking about his special homeland, Kyrenia.

“I was told to stop mentioning those names because they are part of the last 50 years. I told them I’m getting old, but the only time I’ll shut up about Kyrenia will be when I die. So let’s remember why we are here: We fight for freedom and justice, that’s what we believe in and that’s what we’ll keep fighting for,” Christopher concluded.

Finally, in his own remarks, Archbishop Elpidophoros of America pointed out that “The righteous cause of Cyprus – and the fifty year delay in finding a just and equitable solution – is the reason we are all here tonight. In the Awards that are being shared with tonight’s honorees, we are giving recognition not only to deserving individuals of extraordinary substance, but to the organizations and enterprises that they lead, who symbolize the aspirations of everyone in this room.”

His Eminence also mentioned his own visit to Cyprus, a few months ago, in the context of the AHEPA Conference which was held there for the first time in the history of the organization.