When George Vassiliou was elected President in 1988, it was a surprise to many people in the international community, both within Cyprus and abroad. Not affiliated to any political party, despite his family's role in the creation and development of AKEL, Cyprus' left-wing movement, Vassiliou was in many ways an outsider. But this position outside party politics proved to be an advantage, giving him a unique perspective on the international situation and allowing him to focus on his ultimate goal: a solution to the Cyprus issue. "From the President's Office" offers a full and comprehensive summary of the achievements of Vassiliou's time in office alongside a frank critique of their limitations. It offers a personal and unique account of a crucial period in Cyprus' recent history by one of the leading players in Cypriot politics. It will be an invaluable resource for students of International Relations and Conflict Resolution as well as anyone wishing to understand the politics of Cyprus today.

George Vassiliou was President of the Republic of Cyprus from 1988 to 1993. He was the founder and leader of the Cypriot United Democrats party (EDI) and served as a member of the Cypriot Parliament. He also served as Chief Negotiator for the accession of Cyprus to the European Union from 1998 to 2003. His political memoirs have previously been published in two volumes in Greek and he is also the Editor of The Accession Story: The EU from 15 to 25 Countries.