The President of the Republic, Nikos Anastasiadis, appeared obviously excited at the funeral of his friend and collaborator Socrates Hasikos.
This is the funeral of President Anastasiadis:
"There are moments when no matter how much power a person uses, the prevailing emotions do not allow him to hide the emotion and pain caused by the loss of a dear friend and special partner.
My dear Socrates,
I do not want to believe that today I utter the last joy, that I say goodbye to you for the last time.
It is the same feeling of sadness and pain that my three beloved children, your family, but also the thousands of friends, associates and appreciators of your personality and contribution share with me.
My Socrates, at this time I want to express what you rightfully deserve: there is no greater recognition than the universal recognition of the work you have done, but also of the charismatic personality that God has endowed you with.
A personality distinguished by selflessness, honesty, dignity, your irreconcilable and fighting spirit. The parsimony of your opinion, your authenticity and honesty.
These gifts, my dear friend, are what lead to your invaluable contribution from all the state offices you have been called to serve.
They are the same talents that made you a ruthless patriot who believed and fought for the justification of Cypriot Hellenism, far from emotional outbursts or controversial positions.
You have been a steadfast and unwavering commitment to the need to find a solution that would prevent the consolidation of the accomplished, but also would lead to the reunification of our homeland, in conditions that would allow the peaceful coexistence and prosperity of both communities.
My dear friend,
What I mention is not just my testimony. They are the innumerable tributes, articles and comments that have been written since the day of the announcement of your death, not only by friends, but also politicians and citizens of all ideological tendencies.
And this my friend is for you the absolute justification, but also for your friends a balm of consolation and pride.
That is why, my dear Socrates, I said that he himself may lose a valuable friend and collaborator, but it is even sadder that Cyprus is losing an honest, courageous and charismatic politician and man.
The same blow is dealt to the Democratic Alarm in whose ranks you became a man politically.
It is thanks to these virtuous friends, supporters of the faction but also the people in general, who gave you the order to represent him in the House of Representatives in 1991, 1996 and 2006.
The same characteristics are that they left no other choice to our political father Glafkos Clerides and me, than to trust you without any hesitation, the vital portfolios, initially that of the Ministry of Defense and, in my days, the Ministry of Interior.
A choice, my Socrates, that was based on the feeling of certainty and security that you inspired, but also on your strong personality that allowed you to dare, to make decisions and to shoulder responsibilities. Be practical and efficient.
To give solutions and to connect, away from populism and expediencies, any of your decisions.
It was the same principles and values that distinguished the course of your personal life. Excellent and devoted head of the family, you adored your beloved Elli and your three children.
Your efforts to fulfill your ministerial duties and the obligation, as you felt it, to be by the side of your beloved Elli, when she fell ill, were superhuman.
It was, my dear friend, with a heavy heart that in your third appeal I accepted to be deprived of your services.
I will not forget our last official meeting, when you told me with tears:
"President, I am sorry but I have no other choice, the situation of Elli does not allow me to carry the title of Minister, without performing, as I know my duties. That is why I ask you to accept my resignation. "
This was Socrates. For this father be proud my beloved, Anna Maria, Ioannis and Frixos. It is for this Socrates that we feel honored because he was also our friend.
My dear friend,
What Anna Maria said after hearing about your death confirms my humble attempt to outline the path you took and followed to the end.
The words of Anna Maria are simple, but also full of messages: “You taught us principles and values. To fight without giving up. To claim and fight. To walk together and loved ".
For this, my friend, you can now rest quietly next to your Elli.
Quiet and proud as a father.
Quiet as a selfless and great friend. As an excellent and valuable partner.
But above all, calm as a person who fulfilled your duty to the homeland in its entirety.
And we, I want you to know that by measuring your loss, we will make with absolute respect as a guide our own course, your own legacies, which indicate the value of the honest struggle and the importance of fighting in life with dignity for the your ideals.
Have a good trip, my dear Socrates. We will keep your memory forever. ”