The
President of the European Commission, Mr Jose Manuela Barroso, sent yesterday
the following message of condolences over the passing away of Glafcos Clerides:
“It
is with great sadness that I heard of the passing away of Glafcos Clerides. He
will be remembered as a true European statesman and the man who worked
tirelessly over many decades for the reunification of Cyprus and for the full
integration of Cyprus into the European family.
Glafcos
Clerides served his country with distinction from many positions - as a
prominent parliamentarian, as the chief Greek Cypriot negotiator in the
intercommunal talks and, of course, as President of the Republic, an office he
held for two consecutive terms between 1993 and 2003. As President, he led the
negotiations for the accession of Cyprus to the European Union with great
commitment and finesse and he fully deserves the credit he has received for
their successful conclusion.
President
Clerides was also a man of great personal courtesy and wisdom. On behalf of the
European Commission, allow me to express my sincere condolences to his family
and the Cypriot people for their loss.”
_____________
17
November, 2013
