Georgios Iakovou
Encyclopedia
Georgios Kyriakou Iacovou (born July 19, 1938) is a Cypriot
diplomat who is currently the Cypriot Minister of Presidency. Iacovou served as Foreign Minister
of Cyprus for two consecutive terms from September 1983 to 1988 and from 1988 to 1993 and for a third term from 2003 to June 2006, which makes him Cyprus' longest serving Foreign Minister. He served as High Commissioner
of Cyprus to the United Kingdom
. He is also known for his work on the rehabilitation of Greek Cypriot refugees and on persons of Greek origin living in the former Soviet Union
.
Iacovou was born in the village of Peristeronopigi, in Famagusta District
. He graduated from the Famagusta Gymnasium. From 1955 to 1960, Iacovou was a student in the United Kingdom and was active in student politics and Greek Cypriot community affairs.
From 1960 until 1964 he worked in the private sector in Cyprus.
He worked as a Senior Consultant at the international enterprise Price Waterhouse in London
, Principal Officer for Operational Research and later on as Senior Finance Officer of the Board of Directors of British Rail.
In 1972 he returned to Cyprus from the United Kingdom and was appointed Director of the Cyprus Productivity Centre, where he introduced new management methods in industry and commerce and pioneered programmes for continuing education of business executives. He pioneered a post-graduate management course that has been running for over thirty years. He also turned his attention to the upgrading of skills of artisans and technicians in many fields. Concurrently, Iacovou was Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Hotel and Catering Institute of Cyprus (“HCI”) and under his stewardship the HCI became internationally known and was acknowledged accordingly on the island.
Following the Turkish invasion
of 1974, he established and directed the "Service for the Relief and Rehabilitation of Displaced Persons" on directions from the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Cyprus. He later also established the "Service for the Reintegration of Displaced Persons". Iacovou's work for refugees has had an important impact on subsequent developments in Cyprus including what has been dubbed the Cypriot "economic miracle". In this capacity Iacovou became a close associate of Archbishop Makarios
, the first President of the Republic of Cyprus. He also became one of the most articulate advocates of the rights of displaced persons in Cyprus, who form a core issue of the wider Cyprus problem
. His work in the field has been nationally and internationally acknowledged and his exposure to these people’s problems influenced his subsequent career. He is considered one of the ablest administrators of Cyprus and is often referred to as the technocrat with the big heart. From April 1976 until January 1979 he served as Head of the Africa Department of the UN High Commission for Refugees in Geneva
.
From January 1979 until January 1983 he was Ambassador
of the Cyprus Republic to the Federal Republic of Germany
with parallel accreditation to Austria
and Switzerland
and later on he served as Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
On 22 September 1983 he was appointed Foreign Minister and remained in this post until February 1993. His first appointment to this office came just before the illegal and unilateral declaration of "independence" by the Turkish Cypriot leadership
in 1983. Nevertheless, he successfully pursued the condemnation of this action in the United Nations Security Council
through the adoption of SC Resolutions 541 and 550. As Minister of Foreign Affairs, he negotiated Cyprus’ Customs Union Agreement with the then European Economic Community
(“EEC”) in 1987 and in 1990 he submitted the application of Cyprus to join the EEC. In 2003 Mr Iacovou signed the Treaty of Accession of Cyprus to the European Union
(“EU”).
Later on he was appointed by the Greek Government President of the National Foundation for the Reception and Resettlement of Repatriated Greeks. His programme for the integration of several hundred thousand persons of Greek origin returning to Greece
from the former Soviet Union was met with great success. He masterminded operation Golden Fleece, the liberation of fifteen hundred men, women and children of Greek origin from the besieged city of Sukhumi
in Abkhazia
and later participated in a similar operation in the city of Groznyy in Chechnya
. Iacovou founded several University Departments for the teaching of the Greek language
in countries of the former Soviet Union.
Following his return to Cyprus in 1997 he ran for office in the February 1998 presidential election
as an independent candidate supported by the political parties AKEL and DIKO. He lost, by a narrow margin, to the incumbent President of the Republic, Glafcos Clerides.
On 1 March 2003 he was appointed Foreign Minister in the new government of President Tassos Papadopoulos
. He served as Foreign Minister until June 2006. In October 2006 he was appointed as High Commissioner to United Kingdom.
Iacovou was awarded many honours, distinctions and medals from many countries, Universities and organizations amongst which are:
Cyprus
Cyprus , officially the Republic of Cyprus , is a Eurasian island country, member of the European Union, in the Eastern Mediterranean, east of Greece, south of Turkey, west of Syria and north of Egypt. It is the third largest island in the Mediterranean Sea.The earliest known human activity on the...
diplomat who is currently the Cypriot Minister of Presidency. Iacovou served as Foreign Minister
Foreign minister
A Minister of Foreign Affairs, or foreign minister, is a cabinet minister who helps form the foreign policy of a sovereign state. The foreign minister is often regarded as the most senior ministerial position below that of the head of government . It is often granted to the deputy prime minister in...
of Cyprus for two consecutive terms from September 1983 to 1988 and from 1988 to 1993 and for a third term from 2003 to June 2006, which makes him Cyprus' longest serving Foreign Minister. He served as High Commissioner
High Commissioner
High Commissioner is the title of various high-ranking, special executive positions held by a commission of appointment.The English term is also used to render various equivalent titles in other languages.-Bilateral diplomacy:...
of Cyprus to the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
. He is also known for his work on the rehabilitation of Greek Cypriot refugees and on persons of Greek origin living in the former Soviet Union
Soviet Union
The Soviet Union , officially the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics , was a constitutionally socialist state that existed in Eurasia between 1922 and 1991....
.
Iacovou was born in the village of Peristeronopigi, in Famagusta District
Famagusta District
Famagusta District is one of the six districts of Cyprus. Its main town is the island's most important port, Famagusta. The city of Famagusta is currently controlled by the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus ....
. He graduated from the Famagusta Gymnasium. From 1955 to 1960, Iacovou was a student in the United Kingdom and was active in student politics and Greek Cypriot community affairs.
From 1960 until 1964 he worked in the private sector in Cyprus.
He worked as a Senior Consultant at the international enterprise Price Waterhouse in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
, Principal Officer for Operational Research and later on as Senior Finance Officer of the Board of Directors of British Rail.
In 1972 he returned to Cyprus from the United Kingdom and was appointed Director of the Cyprus Productivity Centre, where he introduced new management methods in industry and commerce and pioneered programmes for continuing education of business executives. He pioneered a post-graduate management course that has been running for over thirty years. He also turned his attention to the upgrading of skills of artisans and technicians in many fields. Concurrently, Iacovou was Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Hotel and Catering Institute of Cyprus (“HCI”) and under his stewardship the HCI became internationally known and was acknowledged accordingly on the island.
Following the Turkish invasion
Turkish invasion of Cyprus
The Turkish invasion of Cyprus, launched on 20 July 1974, was a Turkish military invasion in response to a Greek military junta backed coup in Cyprus...
of 1974, he established and directed the "Service for the Relief and Rehabilitation of Displaced Persons" on directions from the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Cyprus. He later also established the "Service for the Reintegration of Displaced Persons". Iacovou's work for refugees has had an important impact on subsequent developments in Cyprus including what has been dubbed the Cypriot "economic miracle". In this capacity Iacovou became a close associate of Archbishop Makarios
Makarios III
Makarios III , born Andreas Christodolou Mouskos , was the archbishop and primate of the autocephalous Cypriot Orthodox Church and the first President of the Republic of Cyprus ....
, the first President of the Republic of Cyprus. He also became one of the most articulate advocates of the rights of displaced persons in Cyprus, who form a core issue of the wider Cyprus problem
Cyprus dispute
The Cyprus dispute is the result of the ongoing conflict between the Republic of Cyprus and Turkey, over the Turkish occupied northern part of Cyprus....
. His work in the field has been nationally and internationally acknowledged and his exposure to these people’s problems influenced his subsequent career. He is considered one of the ablest administrators of Cyprus and is often referred to as the technocrat with the big heart. From April 1976 until January 1979 he served as Head of the Africa Department of the UN High Commission for Refugees in Geneva
Geneva
Geneva In the national languages of Switzerland the city is known as Genf , Ginevra and Genevra is the second-most-populous city in Switzerland and is the most populous city of Romandie, the French-speaking part of Switzerland...
.
From January 1979 until January 1983 he was Ambassador
Ambassador
An ambassador is the highest ranking diplomat who represents a nation and is usually accredited to a foreign sovereign or government, or to an international organization....
of the Cyprus Republic to the Federal Republic of Germany
West Germany
West Germany is the common English, but not official, name for the Federal Republic of Germany or FRG in the period between its creation in May 1949 to German reunification on 3 October 1990....
with parallel accreditation to Austria
Austria
Austria , officially the Republic of Austria , is a landlocked country of roughly 8.4 million people in Central Europe. It is bordered by the Czech Republic and Germany to the north, Slovakia and Hungary to the east, Slovenia and Italy to the south, and Switzerland and Liechtenstein to the...
and Switzerland
Switzerland
Switzerland name of one of the Swiss cantons. ; ; ; or ), in its full name the Swiss Confederation , is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in Western Europe,Or Central Europe depending on the definition....
and later on he served as Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
On 22 September 1983 he was appointed Foreign Minister and remained in this post until February 1993. His first appointment to this office came just before the illegal and unilateral declaration of "independence" by the Turkish Cypriot leadership
Declaration of Independence of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus
Eight years after the Turkish Federative State of North Cyprus was proclaimed , the UDI of North Cyprus was presented to the Northern Cypriot Parliament in North Nicosia by Turkish Cypriot Leader/Northern Cypriot State President Rauf Denktaş on November 15, 1983...
in 1983. Nevertheless, he successfully pursued the condemnation of this action in the United Nations Security Council
United Nations Security Council
The United Nations Security Council is one of the principal organs of the United Nations and is charged with the maintenance of international peace and security. Its powers, outlined in the United Nations Charter, include the establishment of peacekeeping operations, the establishment of...
through the adoption of SC Resolutions 541 and 550. As Minister of Foreign Affairs, he negotiated Cyprus’ Customs Union Agreement with the then European Economic Community
European Economic Community
The European Economic Community The European Economic Community (EEC) The European Economic Community (EEC) (also known as the Common Market in the English-speaking world, renamed the European Community (EC) in 1993The information in this article primarily covers the EEC's time as an independent...
(“EEC”) in 1987 and in 1990 he submitted the application of Cyprus to join the EEC. In 2003 Mr Iacovou signed the Treaty of Accession of Cyprus to the European Union
European Union
The European Union is an economic and political union of 27 independent member states which are located primarily in Europe. The EU traces its origins from the European Coal and Steel Community and the European Economic Community , formed by six countries in 1958...
(“EU”).
Later on he was appointed by the Greek Government President of the National Foundation for the Reception and Resettlement of Repatriated Greeks. His programme for the integration of several hundred thousand persons of Greek origin returning to Greece
Greece
Greece , officially the Hellenic Republic , and historically Hellas or the Republic of Greece in English, is a country in southeastern Europe....
from the former Soviet Union was met with great success. He masterminded operation Golden Fleece, the liberation of fifteen hundred men, women and children of Greek origin from the besieged city of Sukhumi
Sukhumi
Sukhumi is the capital of Abkhazia, a disputed region on the Black Sea coast. The city suffered heavily during the Georgian-Abkhaz conflict in the early 1990s.-Naming:...
in Abkhazia
Abkhazia
Abkhazia is a disputed political entity on the eastern coast of the Black Sea and the south-western flank of the Caucasus.Abkhazia considers itself an independent state, called the Republic of Abkhazia or Apsny...
and later participated in a similar operation in the city of Groznyy in Chechnya
Chechnya
The Chechen Republic , commonly referred to as Chechnya , also spelled Chechnia or Chechenia, sometimes referred to as Ichkeria , is a federal subject of Russia . It is located in the southeastern part of Europe in the Northern Caucasus mountains. The capital of the republic is the city of Grozny...
. Iacovou founded several University Departments for the teaching of the Greek language
Greek language
Greek is an independent branch of the Indo-European family of languages. Native to the southern Balkans, it has the longest documented history of any Indo-European language, spanning 34 centuries of written records. Its writing system has been the Greek alphabet for the majority of its history;...
in countries of the former Soviet Union.
Following his return to Cyprus in 1997 he ran for office in the February 1998 presidential election
Cypriot presidential election, 1998
Presidential elections were held in Cyprus on 8 February 1998, with a second round on 15 February. The result was a victory for Glafcos Clerides of the Democratic Rally after he finished as runner-up behind George Iacovou in the first round. Voter turnout was 91.7% in the first round and 93.4% in...
as an independent candidate supported by the political parties AKEL and DIKO. He lost, by a narrow margin, to the incumbent President of the Republic, Glafcos Clerides.
On 1 March 2003 he was appointed Foreign Minister in the new government of President Tassos Papadopoulos
Tassos Papadopoulos
Tassos Nikolaou Papadopoulos was a Cypriot politician. He served as the fifth President of the Republic of Cyprus from February 28, 2003 to February 28, 2008.His parents were Nicolas and Aggeliki from Assia. He was the first of three children...
. He served as Foreign Minister until June 2006. In October 2006 he was appointed as High Commissioner to United Kingdom.
Iacovou was awarded many honours, distinctions and medals from many countries, Universities and organizations amongst which are:
- The Grand Cross of Merit, Federal Republic of Germany
- The Grand Cross of the Order of Phoenix, Hellenic Republic
- The Grand Star of the Decoration for Services to the Republic of AustriaDecoration for Services to the Republic of AustriaThe Decoration of Honour for Services to the Republic of Austria is a state decoration of the Republic of Austria...
- The Grand Cross of the Order of Isavel La Catolica, Kingdom of SpainSpainSpain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
- The Grand Cross of the Order of Honour, Hellenic Republic
- The Grand Cross of the Order of Infante D. Henrique, Republic of PortugalPortugalPortugal , officially the Portuguese Republic is a country situated in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula. Portugal is the westernmost country of Europe, and is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the West and South and by Spain to the North and East. The Atlantic archipelagos of the...
- The Decoration of the Battalion of the Yugoslav Flag
- The Decoration of the Arab Republic of EgyptEgyptEgypt , officially the Arab Republic of Egypt, Arabic: , is a country mainly in North Africa, with the Sinai Peninsula forming a land bridge in Southwest Asia. Egypt is thus a transcontinental country, and a major power in Africa, the Mediterranean Basin, the Middle East and the Muslim world...
- The Decoration of the Cross of St. Mark of the 1st order of the Patriarchate of Alexandria and all Africa
- Decoration of St. Catherine's Monastery of Sinai.
- Honorary Doctorate of the Athens Panteion University, of Political and Social Sciences