Officials in the Georgian capital of Tbilisi have voted to rename a street in honor of the late Polish President Lech Kaczynski.
The street, previously called Chernomorskaya, leads from to the airport to the city. Kaczynski, who was killed in an air crash in west Russia on April 10, drove down the street many times on his visits to Georgia.
"Georgians are grateful to Kaczynski for his support and this is the least they can do to thank their Polish friend. We should honor the memory of this person who has become a friend to every Georgian," said Zaal Samadashvili, head of the Tbilisi City Council.
Professor Maria Filina, the president of the Polonia Polish Culture and Education Association in Georgia, welcomed the decision, saying it was a landmark step for bilateral relations.
Kaczynski Street crosses George W. Bush Street, which was renamed in honor of the former U.S. president on the occasion of his official visit to the Georgian capital in 2005.
Many Tbilisi residents were against naming the street after Bush and have held protest rallies demanding that its original name be restored.
TBILISI, April 27 (RIA Novosti)
