Greek Defense Minister visits Cyprus on 50th anniversary of coup

Greek National Defence Minister Nikos Dendias pays a visit to Cyprus on Monday, as the island is marking 50 years since the coup d' etat that took place on July 15, 1974.

During his visit, Dendias will be received by the President of the Republic of Cyprus, Nikos Christodoulides, and will have talks the Minister of Defence, Vassilis Palmas.

A statement from the Ministry of Defence said that an official welcome will take place in the courtyard of the Ministry of Defence building, and then the two Ministers will hold a private meeting.

Bilateral talks between the two sides will follow as well as statements to the press.

Dendias will afterwards be received at the Presidential Palace by President Christodoulides.

The Greek Minister will also be received by the Archbishop of Cyprus Georgios.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third. Repeated rounds of UN-led peace talks have so far failed to yield results.

The latest round of negotiations, in July 2017 at the Swiss resort of Crans-Montana ended inconclusively.