Greek Defence Minister to pay three-day official visit to Cyprus

Greek Minister of Defence Panayiotis Beglitis arrives in Cyprus on Monday for a three-day official visit, at the invitation of his Cypriot counterpart Demetris Eliades.

On Monday, Beglitis, accompanied by Eliades, will visit the Evangelos Florakis Naval Base, where munitions confiscated in 2009 exploded, killing 13 people.

They will also lay wreaths at the graves of navy officers, who were among the victims, and will visit the family of Navy Commander Andreas Ioannides, who died in the explosion.

Beglitis' official welcoming will be held at the National Guard General Staff, followed by talks between the two Ministers.

In the evening, Beglitis will attend an event organised by the Pancyprian Organisation of Relatives of Missing Persons and Undeclared Prisoners.

On Tuesday, Beglitis will be received by President of the Republic of Cyprus Demetris Christofias and President of the House of Representatives Yiannakis Omirou, and will meet with leaders or representatives of parliamentary parties.

He will also attend memorial prayers at the monument of the Greek Armed Forces and an event to condemn the 1974 coup and Turkish invasion, to be held at the Presidential Palace.

On Wednesday, he will meet Archbishop of the Church of Cyprus Chrysostomos II and will attend memorial prayers at the Tomb of Makedonitissa and a memorial service for those who died during the invasion.