In Ancient Greece a person characterized as “private”, (“ιδιώτης” idiōtēs), was the one who “did not participate in public life”. Concentrating exclusively on one’s own private affairs, while neglecting the common good was considered an act of humiliation and interestingly enough, is how the English word “idiot”, with its known implications was derived.

Elias A.Spyrou has always shown a strong interest in public life and has developed a multilevel political activity over the years. As a scholar he initiated the student’s organization “National Voice of the Greek Spirited Youth” EFEN (ΕΦΕΝ), together with his peers who shared the same beliefs and values of their nation. As a university student in Athens, he was elected the president of the Cypriot Students Union “Drasis-KES” (Δράσις-Κ.Ε.Σ), whilst also acted as a member of the executive board of the National Students Union of Cypriots EFEK (ΕΦΕΚ) in Athens.

He has written multiple articles of political context, which have been featured in the daily press. Ardasteia publications, owned by the Prestige Group, have published books of political and historical context and political special editions. Finally, Elias A.Spyrou and the Prestige Group support issues of political context and developments through their intelligence & development oriented international publication LEGACY, published on a quarterly basis and through the LEGACY network website and social media links, which host political analysis reports, articles and high level political interviews.



a. The Republic of Cyprus’s position as a centre of geopolitical and business value:

Geographically, Cyprus is located at a crossroad between Europe, Africa and Asia. Hence it is at the centre of a highly accredited region for the interests of all the global powers, mainly targeting at trade and energy. In addition, the findings of significant natural gas resources, even oil, in the island’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) places a higher geopolitical value in Cyprus. After experiencing an economic crisis, mainly due to the broader crisis and as of recently, to the outbreak of the banking crisis, as a result of the Euro-group meeting outcome in March 2013, which inadvertently further affected the entire region of the South of Europe, Cyprus seems to recover, though still with structural inefficiencies. Furthermore, Turkish assertiveness sets obstacles to the solution of the long-lasting Cyprus problem, which Turkey created herself as a result of her invasion of the island in July 1974. Despite these recent developments, it still forms a vital centre for business transactions, both because of its geographical location, but also due to the advanced and high level infrastructure and services, such as the ports, the road network, the telecommunications and the legal framework. What is more, despite the bank sector’s issues due to the crisis and the reform measures which have been applied, it is important to notice that the Republic of Cyprus maintains one of the lowest corporate tax rates in the European Union. Personally, I have chosen to keep my business activities in Cyprus, because I believe in all the aforementioned issues and because I firmly support that despite the multiple challenges she faces, Cyprus can rise to the occasion and turn “its crash into cash” by becoming a play field of excellent business opportunities.

b. As a Member of the large European family:

The Republic of Cyprus’s fellow members in the European Union (EU), in which Cyprus has been a full member since 2004, have treated the country in an exceptionally cruel way during the examination of its request for financial assistance from the European Support Mechanism. Hence that behavior has caused an intense reaction by the Cypriot people, while it has also received negative publicity by the international press.

On the one hand, the political authorities of the country, but also the administrations of the Cypriot commercial banks and the Central Bank have all played a part in contributing to the deteriorating national state condition too. Nonetheless, being a member of the EU should in effect bring about more positive measures for a country rather than negative ones. Cyprus remains a member of the Euro-zone and the common European currency, whilst also being a member of the common European market. Moreover, the Country applies the EU acquis at a very satisfactory level, which confers prestige and high quality in the provision of services and in general on the institutional framework of the Republic of Cyprus. With the appropriate political settings and statutory improvements in the framework of the EU, Cyprus can function even better, while continuing to boost and improve all its sectors.

c. Cyprus relations with Russia:

The Republic of Cyprus and the Russian Federation have had close cultural and business bonds, mainly due to the common religion and to the dense and high-level business transactions that unite the two countries. Despite the negative reactions that have been received or publicized with respect regards to the bonds, it is my personal conviction that the relations between Cyprus and Russia have always been healthy and deeply rooted. The relations between the two nations are further strengthened by two additional factors: The large and thriving Russian community of Cyprus, as well as the common comprehension which links numerous political and financial elites of the two countries, regarding the geopolitical status quo in the Eastern Mediterranean and the Middle Eastern region. Finally, the business prospects between the two countries are additionally reinforced by the fact that Cyprus has been a popular tourist destination for Russian tourists.

d. The Cyprus Problem

In 1974, pleading the coup d’état for the ouster of the President of the Republic of Cyprus, but also its status as a guarantor power, Turkey proceeded to a military invasion into the island. Since then, it has illegally occupied 37% of Cyprus land. Through military and diplomatic movements, the Turkish Cypriot population has moved into those areas, while hundreds of thousands of illegal settlers from Turkey have settled into the homes of the Greek Cypriots who had been forced out of their properties. Within the zone of the occupied area, in 1983, a secessionist “state” entity, the “Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus” was established. This illegal entity remains unrecognized by every country in the world except for Turkey, for it is a product of violence and illegitimacy at the expense of the Cypriot people. Through resolutions and decisions, both the United Nations Organization and the European Court of Human Rights have described Turkey as responsible for the division of Cyprus, calling it to withdraw its armed forces that it has since maintained on the island. Several attempts have been made for the reunification of the Republic of Cyprus, which are yet hampered by Turkey’s refusal to accept the return of the status quo ante and its persistence for an after solution recognition of the illegal secessionist entity. I personally believe in the need of finding a fair and viable solution of the Cyprus problem; a solution which should requisite the withdrawal of the Turkish invading army, the return of all refugees into their homes, the restoration of human rights and the basic freedoms in Cyprus, but also the establishment of a functional state. Still, for this to become feasible, Turkey must cease to pursue hegemony over Cyprus and to accept the Republic of Cyprus as an equal partner.