Press Briefing by the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General Stéphane Dujarric
I wanted to say a few words about a friend and colleague who, as you may know, passed away on Thursday after a battle with lung cancer.
For almost 30 years, Maria Zoupaniotis was the press counsellor at the Mission of the Republic of Cyprus. I think, if we kept track of these things, she would have been the dean of the spokespeople at the Missions.
Over the years, I had the privilege of working with her preparing quite a few Cyprus talks, whether in Geneva, Buergenstock, Greentree or right here in the Secretariat. Maria was a true professional and someone who passionately loved her country and always a pleasure to work with.
In fact, no one could deliver a demarche quite like Maria. Whenever we sometime strayed from the green vocabulary on the Cyprus issue, we often had a message to call her back at the Mission. She would make her point with tact, precision and good manners.
Maria will be remembered and missed in these halls.
All of us here … and I think you will join us in sending our deepest sympathies and most sincere condolences to her husband, and your colleague, Apostolos.
Details of the funeral arrangements are in my office. I think there is visitation today, tomorrow at a funeral home.