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Reuters

Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras on Sunday rejected any suggestion of a trade-off for the release of two Greek soldiers it says are being unjustifiably held by Turkey in a case that has deepened strains between the two Nato allies.
The rhetoric between the two neighbours with deep-rooted historical disputes has sharpened, with two Greek soldiers detained by Turkey and eight Turkish soldiers seeking asylum in Greece the focal point of verbal jousting in recent months.
Turkey rages after Greece grants asylum to ‘coup’ helicopter co-pilot
The Greek soldiers were arrested in March after crossing a borderline between the two countries and face charges of illegal entry in Turkey.

The eight Turkish commandos, who commandeered a helicopter to flee Turkey as a coup against President Tayyip Erdogan crumbled in July 2016, have sought asylum in Greece. 
Turkey says they were involved in the putsch and demands they be returned to face trial.
Why countries should watch out for Turkey snatching citizens abroad
“Concerning references to an exchange … between the matter of the Greek soldiers and other issues, we stress once more that it is unacceptable and is rejected,” a statement from the Greek PM’s  office said.
“The position of Greece, and of the EU in its entirety, is clear and consistent: we seek the immediate release of the two Greek soldiers without conditions,” it added.

In an interview with private broadcaster NTV on Saturday, Erdogan appeared to float the possibility of handing over the two soldiers if Greece returned the eight Turkish commandos.
“If you want this to be discussed around [the] table, you will return the coup plotters,” Erdogan said, adding he had raised the issue during an EU summit in Bulgaria in March.
Turkey sentences 21 to life in prison over the ‘postmodern coup’ of 1997
Greek courts have repeatedly rejected Turkish requests to extradite the group, most of whom remain under protective custody. Turkey says Greece is a haven for its enemies.

The two Greek soldiers, Erdogan said, had violated Turkish borders.
Under huge Greek flag, thousands protest against Macedonia deal
Turkey and Greece are at odds over issues ranging from airspace over the Aegean Sea, sovereignty over islets and the ethnically split island of Cyprus. They almost went to war over an uninhabited islet each claims as its own in 1996.
Controversy was recently rekindled when Greek youths hoisted a flag on another rocky outcrop. 


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Greece

Athens rejects proposal to exchange Turkish ‘coup plotters’ for  ‘unjustifiably held’ Greek soldiers

In his speech on April 17, Tsipras said that relations between his country and Turkey are experiencing a "period of instability," and stressed that Greece will not negotiate any part of its territory. Photo: Greek Prime Minister's Office via AP

The Edirne high-security prison, where two Greek soldiers who were detained, after crossing the border into Turkey are being held, is seen in the border city of Edirne, Turkey March 27, 2018. REUTERS/Ilkyaz Savas NO RESALES. NO ARCHIVES

Greek policemen check a Turkish Blackhawk helicopter after landing at the airport of Alexandroupolis, northeastern Greece, on Saturday, July 16, 2016. Greece's defense ministry says a Blackhawk military helicopter carrying seven Turkish military personnel and one civilian has landed at the airport in the city of Alexandroupolis in northeastern Greece. The passengers have asked for asylum. They were arrested for illegal entry into Greece. (E-evros.gr via AP)

Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan is pictured during a live interview with broadcaster NTV in Istanbul, Turkey April 21, 2018. Picture taken April 21, 2018. Murat Kula/Presidential Palace/Handout via REUTERS ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS PICTURE WAS PROVIDED BY A THIRD PARTY. NO RESALES. NO ARCHIVE.

Turkey rages after Greece grants asylum to helicopter co-pilot who escaped with officers after failed 2016 ‘coup’

Greek policemen check a Turkish Blackhawk helicopter after landing at the airport of Alexandroupolis, northeastern Greece, on July 16, 2016. File photo: AP

Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan waves as he leaves a mosque following Friday prayers in the city of Komotini, Greece, December 8, 2017. REUTERS/Alexandros Avramidis

The eight Turkish soldiers, who fled to Greece in a helicopter and requested political asylum after a failed military coup against the government, are escorted by police officers as they leave the Supreme Court in Athens, Greece, January 23, 2017. REUTERS/Alkis Konstantinidis

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