Press Releases

The President of the Republic Mr Nicos Anastasiades presided, today, over a meeting of the Council of Ministers at the Presidential Palace, with regard to the arrangements for the funeral and burial of the former President of the Republic Demetris Christofias who passed away yesterday.

After the meeting of the Council of Ministers, the Government Spokesman Mr Prodromos Prodromou told reporters that the Council of Ministers decided:  

• That a state funeral of the former President of the Republic be held with honours accorded to a President of the Republic of Cyprus in office.
• To declare a public mourning period as of today and until the day of the funeral. During the mourning period the flags on all public buildings and schools will fly at half-mast.
• That the day of the funeral, Tuesday 25 June 2019, be declared a public holiday.
• To open a book of condolences at the Presidential Palace where Members of the Diplomatic Corps and State Officials can sign.
• That the President of the Republic, the members of the Council of Ministers, the Deputy Ministers and the Government Spokesman sign the book of condolences.
• To open books of condolences in all the Diplomatic Missions of the Republic of Cyprus abroad.
• To approve the following text that will be inscribed in the book of condolences for signature for the President who passed away:
• “It is with deep sorrow that we bid farewell to the former President of the Republic Demetris Christofias and we honour his contribution to his homeland Cyprus from the ranksof Member of the House of Representatives, President of the House of Representatives, and President of the Republic.”
• That the President of the Republic and the entire Council of Ministers attend the funeral, which will take place at public expense, at the Holy Church of God’s Wisdom, in Strovolos, on Tuesday 25 June 20019 at 5 pm.
• That during the period of public mourning all official State events be postponed.”

---------------------------

RM/II