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Gene Rossides Awarded Cypriot Parliament’s Highest Honor

By NEO Magazine on November 14, 2014

President of the Cypriot House of Representatives Omirou presents AHI Founder Rossides with the highest award the House can bestow upon an individual.

American Hellenic Institute Founder Eugene T. Rossides received the highest honor bestowed upon an individual by the Republic of Cyprus House of Representatives. President of the House Yiannakis Omirou presented a medal to Rossides as a token of the country’s gratitude for a lifetime of dedication to Cyprus and its cause.

“As the protagonist in convincing the U.S. Congress to impose an arms embargo on Turkey following the 1974 Turkish invasion and occupation of Cyprus and as the frontrunner in the fight in Congress to uphold the rule of law in American foreign policy, Mr. Rossides has proved an important asset for Cyprus and Greece, but also to the United States,” Omirou said. “His untiring advocacy for human rights, the rule of law and democratic principles make him a cross-border precious role model for generations to come.”

Rossides received the honor while on a book tour of Cyprus and Greece, October 6 to 16, 2014. His latest work is titled, Kissinger and Cyprus: A Study of Lawlessness. His book explores four themes: 1) then National Security Advisor Henry Kissinger’s responsibility for the Cyprus tragedy of 1974 and its aftermath; 2) Cyprus’s importance as a strategic, economic, and political asset to Europe and the U.S.; 3) Turkey’s actions as a rogue state; and 4) the Rule of Law and the United States.

President of Greece Karolos Papoulias and AHI Founder Rossides discuss Rossides’ latest book and developments in the eastern Mediterranean.

At the invitation of the Republic of Cyprus’s Press and Information Office (PIO), Rossides made a book presentation at the Press Club, October 8. He also, accompanied by AHI President Nick Larigakis, met with President of the Republic of Cyprus Nicos Anastasiades, U.S. Ambassador to Cyprus John Koenig, and Cypriot Foreign Minister Ioannis Kasoulidis.

In Greece, book presentations were made in Athens and Thessaloniki. ELIAMEP (Hellenic Foundation for European and Foreign Policy) sponsored the first presentation as part of a larger discussion titled, “The American Role in Cyprus: Past, Present and Future.” DEREE – The American College of Greece also sponsored a book presentation on its campus and more than 250 persons attended the event. AHI-Athens President George Economou hosted a dinner in Rossides’ honor where 50 close friends and associates came out to pay tribute to Rossides at the Athens Club. “My sincere gratitude to AHI-Athens President Economou for hosting a marvelous event,” Rossides said. “I was deeply touched by it, and I was truly moved to see so many close friends and colleagues.”

While in Athens, Rossides and Larigakis met with President of Hellenic Republic Kostas Papoulias and Deputy Foreign Minister Kyriakos Gerontopoulos.

In Thessalonki, Anatolia College and AHI sponsored a book presentation at the Officer’s Club. There, Lt. General Ilias Leontaris, commander, C’ Army Corps and HQ NATO Rapid Deployable Corps-Greece, hosted Rossides for a private dinner.

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