Cyprus' former president Tassos Papadopoulos, who led the Mediterranean island into the European Union and eurozone, died of lung cancer on Friday at the age of 74.
"Today, Cyprus lost a patriot, a tireless fighter who struggled all his life for freedom and democracy. He served Cyprus with consistency, devotion and commitment to principles and values," said Papadopoulos' son Constantinos Giorkatzis while reading out a statement on behalf of the family.
The Cypriot government has announced a three-day official mourning for Papadopoulos. Flags at all public buildings and schools will fly at half mast till Monday, when Papadopoulos will be laid to rest in a state funeral, said government spokesman Stephanos Stephanou after an extraordinary cabinet meeting.
"We honor his contribution to his country Cyprus from various posts he has served, as a member of parliament, President of the House of Representatives, Minister, negotiator and President of the Republic," said a cabinet statement.
Papadopoulos, a longtime chain smoker, was admitted to the intensive care unit of the hospital on Nov. 22. He suffered from lower back pain and acute respiratory failure, and was later diagnosed with small cell lung cancer.
Born in Nicosia in January 1934, Papadopoulos studied law in London and later came back to Cyprus to join the struggle for independence against British colonial rule in the 1950s.
During the transitional period for the independence of Cyprus, Papadopoulos was one of the four Greek Cypriot representatives who took part in the drafting of the Constitution for the new Republic of Cyprus.
After serving for years as a cabinet minister, Greek Cypriot negotiator for reunification talks and parliament speaker, he was elected president of the republic in February 2003 for a five-year term, during which Cyprus became a full member of the European Union and entered the eurozone.
Widely viewed as a nationalist hardliner, Papadopoulos persuaded Greek Cypriots to reject a United Nations-brokered plan for a solution to the Cyprus problem in April 2004, arguing that the plan would lead to no real reunification of the Mediterranean island, but to a permanent division. As a result, only the Greek Cypriot south effectively entered the EU.
Papadopoulos failed in his bid for a second term earlier this year and was replaced in February by Demetris Christofias, who is more flexible and pro-solution. Comprehensive reunification talks with the Turkish Cypriot leadership have been re-launched under the new presidency.
Christofias said from Brussels that his predecessor had played a leading role in the history of the Cyprus Republic. "We cooperated, we struggled together for the cause of Cyprus," he added.
Cyprus' Greek Orthodox Archbishop Chrysostomos II, in a written statement, praised the late former president, not only for his "active participation in the magnificent national liberation struggle of 1955-1959," but also for his contribution as "a great patriot" in a critical time of the national problem.
In Athens, the Greek parliament observed a minute of silence topay tribute to Papadopoulos, calling his death a loss to the Hellenism.
President of the European Commission, Jose Manuel Barroso, expressed his sorrow in a message to Cyprus President Demetris Christofias.
"The Commission and myself will remember him for his unwavering love for his country but also for his sharpness of mind, hard work and dedication to duty and his courage in pursuit of his convictions," said Barroso.
Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat has also expressed his condolences to the family of Papadopoulos and to the Greek Cypriot people. Talat said he shared the sorrow of those who loved Papadopoulos.
Source:Xinhua
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