The National Federation of Cypriots in the United Kingdom honoured today His Excellency the Greek Ambassador to the UK, Mr Konstantinos Bikas, at its headquarters in North London, prompting tributes to the senior Greek diplomat who has served Greek diplomacy from various posts for more than 30 years.
His Eminence Archbishop Gregorios of Thyateira and Great Britain, Cyprus High Commissioner, HE Mr. Euripides Evriviades, and numerous others VIPs of the UK Cypriot diaspora also honoured the dinner with their presence, alongside senior representatives of all of the main Cypriot organisations in this country.
Paying tribute to Mr Bikas, Federation President, Mr. Peter Droussiotis, spoke of the Ambassador’s lifelong commitment and service to Greece and the Greek world, his tireless efforts to promote the cause of a free and reunited Cyprus and of his many achievements over a period spanning more than three decades.
Mr Droussiotis said:
“I pay tribute tonight to a senior and accomplished Greek diplomat and a true and committed friend of Cyprus and of the Cypriot diaspora in this country and around the world. At the same time, I thank him, on behalf of the whole of the Greek and Cypriot diaspora in the UK, for his long and distinguished service and his unstinting efforts to promote the interests of our communities in the United Kingdom which is a key diplomatic centre.
“The warmth of Mr Bikas’s character, his accessibility and his many human qualities have endeared him both to members of our community but also to other diplomats and political figures in this country.
“Our aim is to enhance even further the close co-operation which has historically existed between the Greek Embassy in Great Britain and the UK Cypriot Federation for the benefit of our community in this country and also of Cyprus.”
A commemorative plaque was handed over to Mr Bikas with the following words inscribed on it:
“To HE the Ambassador of the Hellenic Republic to the UK Mr Konstantinos Bikas in honour and recognition of his longstanding help and support to our community, his invaluable efforts to promote and advance the just struggle for a free and united Cyprus and his long and distinguished service to Greece and the causes of the Hellenic world.”