NICOSIA — National Defence Minister Nikos Panagiotopoulos was in Cyprus on Thursday to attend the celebrations of the 60th anniversary of the proclamation of the Independence of the Republic of Cyprus.

Panagiotopoulos was accompanied by the Chief of the Hellenic National Defence General Staff, General Konstantinos Floros.

The traditional military parade, due to begin at 11:00 on Iosif Hadjiosif Avenue in Nicosia, will include motorised and pedestrian units and aircraft of the National Guard.

Also present will be the Commander-in-Chief of the Italian Armed Forces, General Enzo Vecciarelli, and on behalf of the French Republic the Commander of the French Forces in the Mediterranean and Black Sea, Rear Admiral Laurent Isnard.

Defence Min visits the Imprisoned Graves, Cyprus

National Defence Minister Nikos Panagiotopoulos started his visit to Cyprus on Thursday by laying a wreath at the Imprisoned Graves.

The minister, who was accompanied by the Chief of Hellenic National Defence General Staff, General Konstantinos Floros, was received by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Dimitris Syllouris, who is standing in for Cyprus President Nicos Anastasiades while the latter attends the European Council summit in Brussels.

The meeting was attended by government ministers, the chief of the Cyprus National Guard, Lieutenant General Dimokritos Zervakis, as well as representatives of Cyprus' political and military leadership.