to the European Union from 1998 to 2003. Euro-Centrism He is a strong supporter of the European cause, he proved it recently by co-signing George Soros' open letter calling for more Europe in the single currency turmoil. George Vassiliou takes active part in international political and social organizations and events. He is currently Member of the European Council on Tolerance and Reconciliation, jointly chaired by Poland's ex-President Aleksander Kwaśniewski and President of the European Jewish Congress Viatcheslav Moshe Kantor. ECTR is designed to monitor tolerance in Europe and prepare recommendations to national governments and IGOs in respect of fighting xenophobia, extremism and anti-Semitism. Personal life Vassiliou has three children and is married to Androulla Vassiliou. In 2014, Vassiliou published a book about his life before presidency called 'Odyssey'. In 2015, he began writing a sequel to his book about his life as president of Cyprus. Honours Foreign honours : Honorary Companion of Honour of the National Order of Merit (28 June 1991) : Knight Grand Cross of the Order of Merit. : Grand Cross of the National Order of the Legion of Honour. : Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Redeemer. : Knight of Grand Cross of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic. : Grand Collar of the Order of Prince Henry. : Knight Grand Collar of the Order of the Nile. References Further reading The Economist (US) | 27 February 1988 article "His own man, Cypriot President George Vassiliou" External links Arcadia Country Studies A new era of Cyprus 1931 births Living people 20th-century presidents of Cyprus Alumni of the University of London Leaders of political parties in Cyprus People from Famagusta United Democrats politicians