Cyprus invasion anniversary seen as pivotal for Greek-Turkish ties

The 50th anniversary of the Turkish invasion of Cyprus on July 20 may become a milestone for the further course of Greek-Turkish relations as both Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and President Recep Tayyip Erdogan will visit the island on the same day.

It remains to be seen whether the visit will be defined by incendiary rhetoric or whether the channels between Athens and Ankara will remain active in view of the planned meeting between Mitsotakis and Erdogan in September, in New York.

Erdogan traditionally visits the territories of Cyprus occupied by Turkish troops on this day, but this year Mitsotakis will visit Nicosia to attend the commemorative events for the first time during his tenure as prime minister.

It is clear that Mitsotakis will not shy from picking up the gauntlet and respond to any inflammatory remarks made by the Turkish president, with the...