Clerides decorated by President Putin

The previous President of Cyprus, Glafcos Clerides, was one of the six veterans who was honoured yesterday by Russian President during the celebrations dedicated to the 60th Anniversary of Victory in the 1941 – 1945 for their participation in the Second World War.

Clerides was shot down over Germany and was taken as prisoner of war.

The six veterans decorated by President Putin are President of Greece, Karolos Papoulias, President of Albania Alfred Moisiu, President of Croatia Stjepan Mesic, former monarch of Romania, King Mihai I, Former President General of Poland Wohciech Jaruzelski and former President of the Cyprus Republic Glafcos Clerides.

Speaking to CNA upon his arrival Sunday at the Russian capital, Clerides said that he accepted with great pride the special honour by President Putin.

“I consider it a great honour to come to Moscow and participate in the celebrations and be honoured in a country that apart its great contribution to the victory of the allies had also an immense loss in human lives,” Clerides said.

President Putin noted in his invitation to Clerides: “During the World War II you have displayed courage in the fight against our common enemy fascism.”

“In Russia you are also well known as a respected politician who made valuable contribution to consolidate peace and stability in the Mediterranean and Europe as a whole,” he added.