Aris Babikian, Canadian of Greek and Armenian origin, received the Medal for Exceptional Contribution to Cyprus.

In his thank you speech, Babikian said: “As a third-generation offspring of two survivors of the Armenian and Greek Genocides, I pledge to continue to advocate for justice for Cyprus through the reunification of the island nation, the withdrawal of the occupying Turkish army, the removal of the illegal settlers from the Turkish-occupied northern Cyprus and compensating the victims of the invasion and occupation.”

Babikian also relayed the greetings, well wishes, and solidarity of Sen. Lou Reuptakes, president of the World Hellenic Inter-parliamentary Association (WHIA/PADEE), and the entire membership of WHIA to the President and the delegates to the 2026 World Conference of Cypriote Diaspora.

Babikian thanked the Cypriote Federation of Canada, the International Coordinating Committee, Justice for Cyprus (Pseka Canada), and Dino Sophocleous for nominating him for the distinguished honor.

Babikian has proven over time that his friendship for and love of Cyprus can be transformed into substantial action. He worked consistently and persistently on issues concerning the Republic of Cyprus and actively supported and continues to support Greek, Cypriot, and Armenian diasporas, promoting their common values of freedom, justice and respect for international law.

Ironically, Babikian landed, decades ago, in Cyprus in an overloaded boat from Lebanon during the Lebanese Civil War. He returned to Cyprus an honored guest. A dramatic reversal which an imaginative novelist would envy.

Babikian’s maternal grandmother was a survivor of the Greek Genocide of Pontus (Trabizon) while his Armenian grandfather was a survivor of the Armenian Genocide.