Cyprus – US Chamber Of Commerce Honors Dr. Pissarides
Cyprus – US Chamber Of Commerce Honors Dr. Pissarides
New York.- By Apostolos Zoupaniotis
Photos: Dimitris Panagos
“Greek Government is doing everything it can to reverse the downward spiral that it finds itself, with debt and recession feeding on each other”, Nobelist Dr. Christopher Pissarides said, accepting the “Cyprus-U.S. Chamber of Commerce Distinguished Merit Award” during the organization’s dinner at the New York Hilton, on May 6.
Dr. Christopher A. Pissarides, a Professor at the London School of Economic has been awarded the 2010 Nobel Prize in Economic Sciences, together with Peter Diamond of MIT and Dale Mortensen of Northwestern. “for the analysis of markets with search frictions”, a way of thinking about markets that recognizes that they often do not work as smoothly as economist’ model of perfect competition would suggest.
Dr Pissarides pointed out that the debt situation was tackled successfully so far, by the Greek Government and stressed that “restructuring will not be in Greece’s interest”.
The Dinner attended among others: the Ambassador of the Republic of Cyprus Mr. Pavlos Anastasiades, the Consul General of the Hellenic Republic Mrs. Aglaia Balta, the President of the Cyprus-US chamber of Commerce Mr. Dennis Droushiotis as well as its Chairman Andreas Komodromos, Ambassador Minas Hadjimichael, the Consul General of the Republic of Cyprus Ms. Koula Sofianou, AHEPA Supreme President Nicholas Karacostas, the host of NPR’s Morning Edition of WNYC Radio Mr. Soterios Johnson, the Executive Director of the Cyprus-US Chamber of Commerce Ms. Despina Axiotakis as well as the Dinner Chairman Mr. Peter Papanicolaou.
“Greece will not come out of this mess any time soon, crucial changes are much needed to be made,” he said. Dr, Pissarides also explained that Cyprus is in a better financial position than Greece but the two economies are linked and if there is no improvement on Greece’s part chances are that Cyprus will be affected sooner or later.
Amongst the changes he suggested were the role of the labor unions, the liberalization of the labor market and the improvement of the completion.
Dr Pissarides underlined the important role the United States play on the Cyprus problem and pointed out the contribution of the Cypriots of America to enlighten the American public opinion.
He also offered some advice to the young professionals and university students present at the event.
“The chance to succeed is there and through hard you can take it. For scientific or business success, 95% is technique that can be learned and only 5% is talent. You can all get to the 95% through hard work and what you add on the top is a bonus”, he concluded.
OTHER SPEAKERS
Cypriot Ambassador Pavlos Anastasiades praised Dr Pissarides not only for his scientific accomplishments, but also for his love and dedication to his country, Cyprus.
“Cyprus is indeed proud to have such loving children who, through their work, dedication and outstanding achievement, honor their homeland by globally raising its profile and serve as role models for the younger Cypriot generations and the Cypriot research community. And in ways you may not be able to quantify, strengthen our continuing struggle to make Cyprus whole and free again.”
Speaking about the Cyprus – US Chamber of Commerce, Ambassador Anastasiades said ‘it has contributed to the steady promotion and extension of the commercial and economic ties and relations between Cyprus and the United States. It has also played an important role in the development of business contacts and commercial exchanges for Cypriots and Americans alike”.
The Chamber’s president Dennis Droushiotis praised Dr Pissarides for being anchored to his Cypriot roots.
“His continued contributions dedicated to his homeland are evident, as he is currently a visiting professor at the University of Cyprus. In honoring him tonight, we pay tribute to his outstanding achievements aas an economist, educator, author and a champion of his Cyprus heritage that reflects so positively the strides and contributions of our ancestry”.
Droushiotis thanked the organizing committee headed by Peter Papanicolaou, the board and the members of the Chamber and the supporters, for making the event a success and mentioned especially the presence of young professionals and students.
“In 2011 we plan to develop a Cyprus – US internship exchange program for the benefit of Cypriot and American students to work in their field study”.
The chairman of the board Andreas Comodromos mentioned the once in a life time opportunity of those attending the event to meet with a Cypriot Nobelist, while Peter Papanicolaou thanked Dr Pissarides for making all Cypriots proud for his accomplishments.
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