Greek Minister of National Defence Panayiotis Beglitis stressed on Wednesday that Turkey does not work for a real solution of the Cyprus problem, noting that Ankara seeks a solution that would serve its own interests.

In statements after a meeting he held with Archbishop of the Church of Cyprus Chrysostomos II, Beglitis, who is paying Cyprus an official visit, commented on statements made by Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who is currently paying an illegal visit to the Turkish occupied areas of Cyprus in order to take part in the so called festivities on the occasion of the tragic anniversary of the Turkish invasion against Cyprus on July 20th, 1974.

Noting that the Turkish Prime Minister is paying Cyprus an illegal visit, the Greek Minister said, on behalf of the government of Greece, that “the Turkish PM reaffirms once more that Turkey is not sincere and does not wish for a solution of the Cyprus problem, or that it wishes for a solution based on its own interests”.

Erdogan’s statements, he went on to say, are “unacceptable and I believe the international community and the EU must analyze his statements, which show that for the Turkish Prime Minister, despite his communication tricks, the recent and the past ones, Turkey does not want to solve the Cyprus problem”.

“So, let’s keep that in mind, let the UN, the EU keep that in mind, and see who truly works and has the political will to solve the Cyprus problem and who does not”, he stressed.

Furthermore he said that the Cypriot and Greek political leaderships should continue stressing to the international community who bears the responsibility for the situation in Cyprus, noting the illegal presence of Turkish troops in the occupied areas of the island.

The solution in Cyprus, Beglitis said, must be a solution in the framework of the UN resolutions and decisions, the European Union, and should reunify the country and its people without any compromises.

He stressed that Greece will continue to support Cyprus, “especially during this dramatic period” after the deadly blast which took place in the Naval Base “Evaggelos Florakis” on July 11th, 2011, killing 13 people and knocking down Cyprus` main power plant.

In his statements, the primate of the Church of Cyprus said that Greece is Cyprus’ support in its struggle for justice and freedom.

“I believe that justice will come to Cyprus so that our homeland and our people can live the life they deserve”, he went on to say.