At a special ceremony on Friday at the Presidential Palace in New Delhi, President of the Republic Nicos Anastasiades, conferred on President of India, Shri Pranab Mukherjee, the Grand Collar of the Order of Makarios III, the highest civilian award of the Republic of Cyprus.

According to a press release by the Presidency, the award is named after Archbishop Makarios III, the first President of Cyprus and is conferred on foreign Heads of State and Government

President Anastasiades said that this award is indicative of the great esteem Cyprus has for the President of India himself as well as for the people of India, for their solidarity and true friendship to Cyprus and its people.

On his part, the President of India said that he accepts the honour on behalf of the people of India and that the award is a symbol of the long-standing bonds of friendship and cooperation between the two countries.