The President of the Republic, Mr Demetris Christofias, awarded the Grand Cross of the Order of Merit of the Republic of Cyprus to Prof. Edouard Brezin, former President of the French Academy of Sciences and Chairman of CyI's Board of Trustees, and to Prof. Herwig Schopper, former Director General of the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN) and Chairman of CyI's Scientific Advisory Council. The Grand Cross of the Order of Merit of the Republic of Cyprus is one of the highest distinctions of the state and was awarded to Prof Brezin and Prof. Schopper for their contribution in science, technology and education in Cyprus and the wider region.

Speaking during the ceremony, the President said that the distinction is an act of respect and recognition for the work carried out by people of science, as the necessary leverage for development and progress. He added that both professors have been actively engaged in promoting research in Cyprus, through their participation at the development of The Cyprus Institute.

Prof. Brezin and Prof. Schopper expressed their sincere gratitude and reiterated their commitment to continue contributing to the scientific work carried out by The Cyprus Institute, so that Cyprus can meet the challenges of the future.

The ceremony took place at the Presidential Palace and was attended by C.H. Llewellyn Smith, former Director-General of CERN, Catherine Cesarsky, High Level Science Advisor at CEA (Commissariat à l'Energie Atomique) in France, members of CyI's Board of Trustees, international scientists, government officials and distinguished personalities from the Cypriot community.

The Cyprus Institute cordially congratulates Prof. Brezin and Prof. Schopper for the honour they have been awarded.