Nicosia: Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee on October 8 received a pleasant surprise as Cypriot President Glafcos Clerides presented Greek translation of 21 poems written by him.

"I am so happy that some of my poems have been translated into Greek. When I started writing poems, I never thought that they will ever be published," Vajpayee said at a joint press interaction with Clerides after the two leaders held wide- ranging discussions.

Vajpayee's poems written in Hindi were first translated by India's High Commissioner in Nicosia, Pavan K Varma into English. These have been translated from the English renderings into Greek by poet Jorges Moleskis. It is titled 21 Biimada (Poems).

Earlier, the Prime Minister who is on a three-day visit to Cyprus lay a wreath at the statue of Archbishop Makarios, former Cypriot President and trusted friend of India.

He offered floral tributes at the bust of Mahatma Gandhi next to the House of Representatives located on Jawaharlal Nehru Street.

The Prime Minister also took time off to visit the Old City of Nicosia and Ceasefire Line accompanied by the Mayor of Nicosia Michael Zampelas.

PTI