The President of the Republic of Cyprus, Nikos Christodoulides, was bestowed with the Order of American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association's (AHEPA) Socrates Award for 2024, the highest honour of the organisation, by Savvas Tsivicos AHEPA Supreme President, during a dinner in Larnaca on Thursday evening. In his address, receiving the award, the President of the Republic said, among other things, that he receives the award on behalf of the Cypriot people whom he represents, expressing at the same time his appreciation. He added that 'the award constitutes a recognition and a tangible demonstration of the respect of Hellenism to the resilience and strength of the Cypriot people, and of our common vision to reunify our country.' In his address, President Christodoulides also referred to his own ties with the United States and said that he studied and lived in the United States, where members of his family reside, noting that he himself was an active member of the Diaspora there, which offers so much to Cyprus. He also said that 'I know first-hand of the persistent and selfless efforts of our diaspora and how well you represent our interests and our concerns to the United States and beyond', noting that 'I have to admit tonight that I learned to love Cyprus when I met all of you.' AHEPA, he continued, 'has always been a steadfast advocate of the rights of Cypriot Hellenism, to the United States of America and beyond, pre-dominantly with regards to our efforts of resolving the Cyprus Problem. You are all a cornerstone of our country's strength and resilience.' President Christodoulides also assured that he will continue his efforts to further strengthen relations between AHEPA and Cyprus, as well as to promote the common values and ideals of Hellenism. He also praised the contribution of US Ambassador to Cyprus, Julie Fisher, who was present at the event, 'to the strengthening of relations between Cyprus and the US', noting that 'Fisher was one of the first Ambassadors of her country to recognise the p otential of the relations between the two countries'. Source: Cyprus News Agency