Cyprus President Demetris Christofias has arrived in Australia, where he is paying an official visit.

An official press release issued here said that Christofias, who is accompanied by First Lady Elsi Christofia, the Government Spokesman and government officials, arrived at 0100 of May 25 Australian time in Melbourne where he was welcomed by the High Commissioner of Cyprus in Australia Yiannis Iacovou and Australian government officials.

In a few hours, Christofias and his entourage will fly to Canberra where the official welcome ceremony by Governor – General Quentin Alice Louise Bryce will take place.

In Canberra, Christofias will attend a working lunch with Prime Minister Julia Gillard and Governor General of Australia, Quentin Alice Louise Bryce.

President Christofias will also have a meeting with President of the Australian Senate John Hogg and the Speaker of the House of Representatives Harry Jenkins.

The Cypriot President will visit the Australian War Memorial where he will lay a wreath and the National Museum. He will also visit the National Botanic Gardens in Canberra to take part in a tree planting ceremony.

The following day, President Christofias and his entourage will meet the Australia – Cyprus Parliamentary Group and the Greek Monument where he will lay a wreath.

President Christofias will travel to Adelaide for a meeting with Mike Rann, South Australia`s Premier. He will also attend a lunch with Governor of South Australia Rear Admiral Kevin Scarce.

During his stay in Adelaide, President Christofias will meet the Cypriot community of south Australia and will lay the foundation of the community’s new cultural centre.

He will return to Melbourne for meetings with Ted Baillieu, Premier of Victoria and Minister for the Arts as well as Alex Chernov, Victoria`s Governor. The President will meet the Cypriot community of Melbourne and will give interviews to the local media.
President Christofias will wrap up his official visit by traveling to Sydney for meetings New South Wales Governor Marie Bashir and his Eminence Archbishop Stylianos Harkianakis, Primate of the Greek Orthodox Church in Australia, as well as members of the Cypriot community.

Leave a Reply