Turkey rejects claims of troop withdrawal from Cyprus

CRANS-MONTANA, Switzerland - Anadolu Agency

Greek media claims about an alleged plan to cut Turkish troop numbers in Cyprus by 80 percent have been dismissed as “not true” by Ankara. 

Foreign Ministry spokesman Hüseyin Müftüoğlu rejected stories claiming that Turkey had presented a four-step plan to reduce its military presence on the divided island on June 29.

The denial comes amid international talks currently being held in the Alpine resort of Crans-Montana, Switzerland, aimed at resolving the long-running division on the East Mediterranean island.

Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akıncı and Greek Cypriot leader Nicos Anastasiades met in Crans-Montana on June 29, joined by U.N. envoy Espen Barth Eide, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu and Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Kotzias. 

The U.N. is seeking a peace deal to unite Cyprus under a federal umbrella, which could also define the future of Europe’s relations with Turkey, a key player in the conflict.

The latest round of Cyprus talks began on June 28 and are expected to continue for around a week.