Nicosia, Cyprus. Only two of Cyprus’ 56 sitting members of parliament declared gifts received in the exercise of their duties, according to the latest register published by parliament on Thursday. The register covers gifts received between July 2024 and September last year during MPs’ official duties and visits.
Register disclosures
House President Annita Demetriou and fellow Disy MP Harris Georgiades were the only two MPs to make declarations in the register.
Gifts declared by Demetriou
Demetriou declared a total of 25 gifts with an estimated combined value of around €6,700, received during official visits in Cyprus and abroad or through meetings with foreign counterparts. The items included paintings and decorative objects, as well as medals, icons and commemorative souvenirs.
Among the most valuable items listed was a painting titled “Lotus Flowers in the Morning”, presented by the Vietnamese ambassador to Italy and Cyprus Duong Hai Hung during a visit to parliament, valued at €600. Another item was a hand-painted decorative porcelain bearing the royal coat of arms of the Netherlands, presented by the Dutch royal family, with an estimated value of €500.
Other declared gifts included souvenirs depicting parliamentary buildings from Armenia and Vietnam, decorative objects from China, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia, religious icons, medals of friendship and ceremonial silverware. Many of the gifts were valued between €150 and €350 and were offered during official meetings or state visits.
In a brief reference accompanying her disclosure, Demetriou said the publication formed part of parliament’s commitment to transparency, with the declared gifts either displayed in parliament or recorded as state property.
Gifts declared by Georgiades
Georgiades, chairman of the House foreign affairs committee and a former finance minister under former president Nicos Anastasiades, reported receiving seven gifts.
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