The arrest and continued detention of five Greek Cypriots in the north is a “vivid reminder of the ongoing violation of human rights in our country”, President Nikos Christodoulides told the Council of Europe’s secretary-general Alain Berset on Monday.

He also stressed “the importance of the full implementation” of rulings made by the European Court of Human Rights during the pair’s meeting at the presidential palace.

This, he said, applies “both in relation to Ukraine and in relation to Cyprus, where the Turkish invasion and the ongoing illegal occupation continue to flagrantly violate international law and human rights”.

Christodoulides also underlined the importance that Cyprus attaches to promoting a solution to the Cyprus problem on the basis of United Nations security council resolutions, a bizonal, bicommunal federal solution with political equality.

Additionally, Christodoulides highlighted the issue of displaced persons, “the tragedy of the missing”, and the arrest and continued detention of the five Greek Cypriots in the north.

Earlier in the day, Christodoulides had referred to the five Greek Cypriots arrested in the north as “hostages”.

Christodoulides also told Berset their meeting had “underlined the importance which Cyprus attaches to the role of the Council of Europe as the guardian of international law, democracy and human rights”.

During the discussions, issues of international and regional importance were brought to the fore, while the common commitment to the peaceful resolution of conflicts and the maintenance of European values was reaffirmed.

Reference was also made to developments in the Middle East, “where the Republic of Cyprus, taking advantage of its geostrategic position, has emerged as a pillar of stability and a channel for humanitarian aid”.

The pair had also discussed Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan.

Berset arrived in Cyprus on Monday and met Christodoulides at the presidential palace, where he said the “rule of law must prevail” in Europe and that “human rights must be protected”.

The pair then went to the Nicosia municipality before taking in the view of the city from the building’s roof.

There, Berset said his visit constitutes “a powerful reminder of the importance of dialogue, reconciliation and peace”.

He added that the Council of Europe “supports all those who work to overcome division and to build bridges of understanding, tolerance, and coexistence.

“I extend my warm thanks to President Christodoulides for his commitment to these values,” he said.

The five Greek Cypriots were arrested on July 19 and have remained in custody in the north since then. They currently face two separate trials.

One of those trials is at a military court, where the police and the prosecution allege that when the five crossed in one car from the British Dhekelia base through the Strovilia crossing point, near Famagusta, only four identity cards were handed over for inspection on the Turkish Cypriot side of the crossing point.

As such, one of the five Greek Cypriots has been charged with illegally entering the north, while the other four are accused of aiding and abetting the illegal entry. Their next hearing at the military court will be held on Wednesday

They also face charges of privacy violations, trespassing, and breaching the peace at a civilian court in Trikomo. The next hearing of that case has been set for Friday.

The five Greek Cypriots deny all charges.