President James Michel has expressed his deepest sympathies and condolences to the Papakokinnos family upon the passing away of Panos Papakokkinos, the Honorary Consul for Greece and Cyprus on Monday. In a letter to the family the President said that the sudden demise of Mr. Papakokkinos was a ‘profound shock’ and that he is greatly saddened by the loss of a friend who loved Seychelles very much.

« He was a true patriot of his adopted country which he loved with all his spirit. He was an accomplished diplomat, a man of integrity and probity. …a true gentleman, held in high esteem and respected by all.We shall all miss Panos but his memory will live on and continue to inspire us,» said the President.

Panos Papakokkinos was appointed  Honorary Consul for Cyprus in Seychelles in 1980 and  Honorary Consul for Greece in Seychelles in 1987.  Mr. Papakokkinos was a prominent businessman and chief executive of Skychef. He was the founding member and representative of Cyprus of the Makarios Fund, which was set up by Greek Orthodox Archbishop Makarios of Cyprus following his exile in Seychelles, in order to help the less privileged students pursuing secondary education in Seychelles. Mr Papakokkinosd undertook several charitable activities in this role. He was member of the Board of Directors of Nouvobanq since its inception, as well as a board member of the Jj Spirit Foundation.