We are giving meaningful content to the Cyprus Academy of Sciences, Letters and Arts, in order for the Academy to be able to serve the highest goal of promoting excellence, said the President of the Republic, Nikos Christodoulides in his address at the Academy's Ceremonial Session on Tuesday afternoon at the Presidential Palace.

Before the session, the President met with the members of the Academy to discuss the next steps of their cooperation. He said that the Ceremonial Session at the Presidential Palace reflects the importance that the State ascribes to the work of the Academy, as the country's highest intellectual institution.

"The recognition of the role that the Cyprus Academy may play, not in words but in deeds, is not limited to rhetoric, but we do what we have to do, to provide meaningful content, in order to, among other things, serve its highest goal, which is none other than the promotion of excellence in Science, Letters and Arts and the contribution, through scientific achievements, to the improvement of the quality of life of citizens in their everyday life", he stressed.

At the same time, he noted that the Academy's contribution to the Government's effort to manage the major challenges in a number of key issues that affect the daily lives of citizens, such as health, education, the digital transformation of the country and the green transition, will be "enormous" as he put it.

Addressing the members of the Academy, the President said that their expertise and know-how, but, above all, their selfless dedication to the scientific field they each serve, combined with their unparalleled contribution to their country and the public, "make you valuable partners for our Government" and the state in general.

He said he felt particularly proud because as President of the Republic he had the distinct privilege of attending the installation ceremony of the President and the first Senate of the Academy last May. Being active members of society and prominent figures in the fields of Science, Letters and Arts, "you have the foundation to inspire and lead every effort that serves our country and its people. And we, in turn, as agents of the citizens, of Cypriot society, have the obligation to provide you with all the guarantees that will facilitate your work", he said.

In this context, he noted, he remains consistent in honouring the promise for a quick handling of practical issues, so that the Cyprus Academy will acquire its own home, with the expectation that it will gradually become the home of the most distinguished scientists in Cyprus and abroad, while at the same time emerging as an academic centre of international recognition.

President Christodoulides said that he asked the members of the Academy to become more extrovert, because, as he said, it is important for the state to listen to the academic community.

During the ceremony, the 2024 award of excellency of the Republic of Cyprus was awarded to the internationally renowned and prestigious composer Marios Ioannou Elia, whom the President said he met when he visited Kyoto, Japan, as Foreign Minister, even though he comes from Paphos. "With his excellent musical compositions, he radiates worldwide and promotes our small country worldwide", he said.

In addition, George Constantinou, an internationally renowned Cypriot geologist, was awarded the "Oikothen Award" for his "particularly significant contribution to archaeology and culture", the President said.

The Cyprus Academy's Ceremonial Session has become an institution, the President concluded, noting that both the high level of the awardees and the universal values that are spread in society through their speeches "give us the right to hope for a better future for our country and the whole world."