The cabinet on Thursday decided to name Larnaca airport after former president Glafkos Clerides in recognition of his contribution to the country.

According to the decision, the airport will be named Glafkos Clerides Larnaca International Airport.

Clerides, who was president between 1993 and 2003, died two years ago at the age of 94.

A government statement said Clerides was an internationally recognised political personality who had also taken part in the fight against Nazism.

The cabinet also took into account his contribution in the struggles of Cypriot Hellenism, as well as the Republic of Cyprus, culminating in the huge success of EU accession.

Communist AKEL disagreed with the decision, which it described as unilateral.

“Exaggeration in efforts to honour late presidents is unfortunately a frequent phenomenon in Cyprus,” party spokesman Giorgos Loukaides said. “But even exaggerations must have a limit.”

Loukaides said usually the choice was a personality who is generally or fully accepted by the people.

“We regret to observe that Glafkos Clerides, whom we respect despite our many differences, is the historic leader of the Right in Cyprus, but not the historic leader of Cyprus” who enjoyed general acceptance.

The cabinet, he said, had operated as a party and not a state body.

source: http://cyprus-mail.com/