CYPRUS: Nicosia welcomes release of Greek soldiers held by Turkey

Cyprus welcomes the release of the two Greek soldiers by Turkey in the hope it signals a sea-change in Ankara’s regional diplomacy.

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The soldiers – 2nd Lieutenant Angelos Mitretodis and Sergeant Dimitris Kouklatzis – were arrested on March 1 for illegally entering Turkey after mistakenly crossing the heavily militarized border.

Greece strongly protested their long detention in the western town of Edirne, arguing that they had strayed across during a patrol on the trail of suspected illegal immigration amid poor visibility due to bad weather.

Government spokesman Prodromos Prodromou said that Nicosia would also like to see a change in Turkey’s stance on the Cyprus issue, so that Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots, can negotiate a solution that would end the Turkish occupation.

He told CNA the release of the two Greek soldiers is a positive development, adding that they were unjustly detained and that the issue had become a humanitarian one.

He argued Turkey’s decision on the soldiers is combined with a broader effort to normalise relations, both with Greece and the region in general, then, if that happens, it would certainly be a positive development as well.

Prodromou said Cyprus expects to see a change in Turkey’s stance on the Cyprus issue and that Ankara abandons the idea to control the north of the island.

Cyprus is a full EU member state since May 2004. Turkey invaded Cyprus in 1974 and since then occupies 37% of the island`s territory.

The latest effort to reach a Cyprus settlement collapsed at a Swiss summit last year. 

Cyprus President Nicos Anastasiades expressed to the UN Secretary General`s envoy Jane Holl Lute, during her recent visit to Cyprus, his readiness to re-engage in a reunification dialogue.

Lute is also holding meetings in Athens, Ankara, London and Brussels on whether conditions have matured for the resumption of Cyprus talks.

She is expected to submit a report to the UN chief next month.