The cabinet approved on Wednesday the donation of 2.5 million euros to the Greek Air Force which was announced earlier this month by the President of the Republic of Cyprus Nicos Anastasiades.

The President had pledged the sum during his trip to Athens on February 1st., after the death of two Greek pilots following the crash on the same day of their Phantom fighter jet.

The announcement was made on Wednesday by Deputy Government Spokesman Niovi Parisinou.

President Anastasiades had said the donation was an expression of solidarity.

"As a sign of solidarity with the Hellenic Republic and the Greek people, the Cypriot government has decided to contribute 2.5 million euros”, Anastasiades said, while explaining that the Greek government will decide how to allocate a part of this donation to the Air Force while the remaining part will be dedicated in memory of the heroic pilots.