Former Cyprus President George Vassiliou died yesterday evening at 94, surrounded by family after two years of illness. He had been hospitalised since 6 January 2026 with a respiratory infection. A visionary Europeanist, he served as third President (1988-1993), advancing Cyprus solutions and EU accession.
Born in Famagusta in 1931, he studied economics in Geneva, Vienna, and Budapest, specialising in London. Founder of the Middle East Research Centre and training centres in management and technology, he left a lasting impact in politics, education, and Cyprus’s outreach.
Presidential election and legacy
Vassiliou entered politics without party affiliation. He backed independent George Ioannides in 1983 and ran independently in 1988 with AKEL support, facing Spyros Kyprianou, Glafcos Clerides, and Vassos Lyssarides. He won the runoff against Clerides on 21 February 1988 with 167,834 votes (51.63%).
During his term, he prioritised a fair Cyprus solution, engaging the UN, Rauf Denktash, Greek governments, the UK, and others. Efforts peaked with the Ghali Plan, thwarted by Turkish intransigence. He boosted economy, defence, health, public administration tech, and founded the University of Cyprus in 1992.
Cabinet decisions on honours
The Cabinet decided Vassiliou’s funeral will proceed with incumbent President honours. It declared public mourning until the funeral day, with flags at half-mast on public buildings and schools. Saturday, 17 January 2026, is a public holiday.
Condolence books open at the Presidential Palace event hall on Friday, 16 January: state officials 10:30am-noon, diplomatic corps noon-3pm. The President, ministers, deputies, and spokesman will sign separately.
Funeral arrangements
George Vassiliou funeral takes place Saturday at 1pm at the Church of God’s Wisdom in Strovolos. Family receives condolences from 11:30am; burial follows at Aglantzia Municipal Cemetery. Public viewing of the body occurs Friday, 16 January, 10am-5pm at the same church.
Instead of wreaths, family requests donations to Arodaphnousa Palliative Care Foundation, Pancypria Organisation of People with Kidney Disorders, and Association for the Prevention and Handling of Violence in the Family (SPAVO).
Source: Philenews
Also read: George Vassiliou dies at 94; Cabinet sets funeral plans
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