Source: Press release
At a special ceremony held today at the Elefsina Air Base, the President of the Republic Mr. Nicos Anastasiades received from the Prime Minister of Greece Mr. Kyriakos Mitsotakis, an aircraft of the Hellenic Republic donated to the Republic of Cyprus.
Receiving the aircraft, after the inspection of its interior by the President and the Prime Minister, President Anastasiades said, among other things, that "this is a generous contribution to the needs of the Republic of Cyprus, Cyprus is an isolated island, We don't have the connectivity that Greece has, it was a problem for the President and the Government in general and this significant donation by the Greek Government gives the President and Ministers a chance to conduct government activities abroad without hindrance and to assist in humanitarian emergencies if need be.
I feel the need to express my warmest thanks for the decision of the Greek Government in the climate of solidarity and mutual support that distinguishes our relations, this important donation will contribute greatly to the better functioning of the state."
For his part, the Prime Minister of Greece said that "I am particularly pleased that we are able to make this gesture of solidarity with Cyprus, which has always stood by our country when we were recently tested by major natural disasters.
I would like to thank you once again for your very generous donation concerning the area of Mati, a natural disaster that so pained us and shocked the Greek people. We expect to see you at the presentation of the newly rebuilt homes that will meet the needs of our fellow citizens who lost their homes on that terrible night.
We are able today to offer the Republic of Cyprus this aircraft in order to provide convenience for the President and the government officials. The President of Cyprus will be able to travel in an aircraft that carries the name of the Republic of Cyprus, the Cypriot flag and the European flag, which is also a sign of the prestige of the Republic of Cyprus, and we are pleased that we are in a position to be able to do this. Good luck. There is a heavy schedule for the President in the coming months before the end of his term in office so I am sure it will pay off."
The President of the Republic and his entourage then boarded the aircraft for their return to Cyprus.
The President of the Republic was accompanied by the Minister of Defence Mr. Charalambos Petridis, the Government Spokesman Mr. Marios Pelekanos, the Deputy Minister to the President Mr. Petros Demetriou, the Chief of the National Guard Mr. Demokritos Zervakis, the Director of the President's Office Mr. Pantelis Pantelidis and officials.
[This press release was translated from its Greek original]
