The High Commissioner of Cyprus in Canberra, Martha Mavrommatis, hosted a reception on the occasion of the 57th anniversary of the establishment of the Republic of Cyprus.
Foreign diplomats, members of the Cypriot community in Australia and representatives of the Australian Foreign Ministry as well of the academic community were invited.
According to a press release issued by the High Commission of Cyprus in Canberra, during the event special reference was made to the Australian police force which ended its participation to the UN peace-keeping force in Cyprus (UNFICYP) in June 2017. Mavrommatis conveyed on behalf of the Republic of Cyprus warm thanks for the services of the members of the Australian force in Cyprus.
She also handed over commemorative plates to the Deputy Chief of the Federal Australian Police Scott Lee and to Barbara Teaken, who is the sister of Ian Ward who lost his life during a mine explosion in 1974, while serving in Cyprus. Overall three members the Australian contingent lost their lives in Cyprus from 1964 until 2017.
Events to commemorate the establishment of the Republic of Cyprus also took place in other cities of Australia. The High Commissioner attended a church ceremony and addressed an event of the Cypriot community in Sidney.
