2025 - Nicosia‚ Cyprus

11th OFFICIAL MEETING OF

WORLD LEADERS AUTOGRAPH SOCIETY

Nicosia, Cyprus

7th March 2025

hosted by:     Jan Syvertsen, Norway     

              Maciej Olbert, Poland

written by: Jan Syvertsen, Norway

participants:  Jan Syvertsen, Norway

                                                                             Michal Dominik, Slovakia                                    

                                                                                      Rune Moe, Norway

                                                        David, Czech Republic

                                                                                      Christer Danielsson, Sweden                      

                                                                                      Karl, Austria

                                                                                      Maciej Olbert, Poland

                                                                                      Stefan André Krosvik, Norway

                                                                                      John, Australia

The 11th meeting was held 6th-8th March 2025 in Nicosia/Lefkosa, Cyprus in the Semeli Hotel. This year there were 11 autograph collectors from 7 countries and 3 family members. Some members used the opportunity to travel around Cyprus and to know this country better.

The first event for the participants was organized on thursday evening (6th March 2025) in Cafe No. 5 in Turkish side of the capital, where we hosted the former Acting Prime Minister and former Acting Foreing Minister of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus Mrs. Dr. Sibel Siber and Mr. Kutlay Erk. It was a very nice and friendly discussion, where our guests presented their view about the situation in the devided island. After the official discussion, autograph and photo session we had a dinner in the restaurant, where we had the opportunity to talk freely with our guests about various topics.

                                        
 
On friday morning (7th March 2025) we travelled from Nicosia to Limassol - the Slovak embassy in Cyprus and the Slovak ambassador organized for us the meeting with the former president of Cyprus Mr. Nicos Anastasiades in his office at 10:30 am. This event was very short, we spent with Mr. President ca. 45 minutes, but it was the highlight of the 11th meeting and maybe also of our short history and cooperation, because Mr. Anastasiades is one of the most famous authorities - he was 10 years in the office as the President of Cyprus. We asked some short questions, then Mr. Anastasiades provided his autographs for all of us and we made also some common photos. This event was led by Mr. Ambassador Martin Bezák, who participated as well and with this we would like to thank him and the Slovak embassy very much for their willingness and for all their efforts.
 
 
After the meeting with Mr. President Anastasiades we returned to Nicosia, where we awaited our next guest. We invited the former Prime Minister of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus Mr. Ferdi Sabit Soyer, who accepted our invitation. Our meeting with this important former leader began at 2 pm in the conference room of the Semeli Hotel, Mr Soyer participated in the company of Mr. Huseyin Ozel. We had again a long discussion with more questions from our side and our guests were invited by us to the dinner directly in the hotel restaurant. It was also a very kind and friendly meeting. Mr. Soyer was willing to sign all photos for us and we made group and individual photos with both guests.
 
             
 
The annual meeting was realized after the meeting with Mr. Soyer. The programme schedule was very interesting. We started with the obligatory round about our successes and challenges the past year. We could hear an interesting lecture by John about the autographs from Australia and Oceania. We spoke about various topics - mainly about autographs, our cooperation and new ideas.
 
Rune from Norway realized the traditional autograph quiz, which was won by Michal and David. Maciej presented the autographs from Cyprus that the participants had sent to him. He also presented the accounting of WLAS.
 
Bucharest, the capital of Romania was chosen for the 12th meeting by the participants in the traditional election. This election was organized by Michal. The meeting will be held 13th-15th August 2026 and we hope to see many of our members there. 
 
The meeting in Cyprus was very interesting, because it was organized in the island devided in 2 parts - Greek and Turkish. Before the meeting we wanted to invite and to meet leaders from both sides of the island to know them personally and to hear their views, dreams, ideas and plans for the future. It was very important for us that we had this opportunity to meet the President of Cyprus Mr. Anastasiades, but the meetings with the leaders from Turkish side had also a special spirit and importance and we enjoyed it very much. We thank to all of our guests very much for their willingness to meet us, to sign the photos for us and to spend their time in our company. We wish all of them all the best.