The Georgian government has expressed its condolences to the Polish people over death of President Lech Kaczynski.

The Polish President was killed when Tu-154 plane, carrying at least 96 people, crashed as it neared Smolensk airport in western Russia killing everyone on board.

“We express our deepest condolences over the loss of this great person,” Georgian PM Nika Gilauri said at a government meeting, which started with minute of silence in memory of the Polish President.

“This is a tragedy not only for the Polish people, but for us as well. President Kaczynski was a patriot of our country too and it is a great loss for every freedom-loving nation,” Temur Iakobashvili, the Georgian state minister for reintegration, said.

Davit Bakradze, Georgian parliamentary chairman, said Kaczynski was “a brave person, who always stood beside Georgia.

“He was Georgia’s great friend. We will never forget August, 2008 when despite risks he arrived in Georgia to stand beside us.