Greece’s Defence Minister Nikos Dendias informed his European Union counterparts about what Athens described as Turkish radio interference targeting European government aircraft during an informal EU Defense Ministers’ meeting in Cyprus.
The complaint was raised during the meeting in Nicosia, after reports of communication disruptions involving aircraft carrying the defense ministers of Greece, France and the Netherlands while they were travelling to Cyprus.
According to reports cited by Cypriot media, the incidents were linked to radio interference allegedly originating from the control tower at Tymbou airport, located in the Turkish-controlled northern part of Cyprus.
The first reported incident involved aircraft transporting the French and Dutch defense ministers, which allegedly experienced radio disruptions. A second incident later involved the aircraft carrying Dendias and other European delegations.
Greek reports said that, during the second incident, two Turkish F-16 fighter jets took off from the Tymbou area and followed the aircraft route, while remaining at a distance.
Dendias raises issue with EU ministers
In a post on X, Dendias said that, following a report from his Cypriot counterpart Vasilis Palmas, he briefed the other ministers at the informal EU Defense Council meeting about the “radio interference by Turkey, originating from the occupied territories of the Republic of Cyprus.”
Συμμετείχα σήμερα στην Άτυπη Σύνοδο των Υπουργών Άμυνας Ευρωπαϊκής Ένωσης, που φιλοξενήθηκε από την Κυπριακή Δημοκρατία στη #Λευκωσία, στο πλαίσιο της προεδρίας της στην Ε.Ε. Ανταλλάξαμε απόψεις για τις εξελίξεις στην Ουκρανία, τη θαλάσσια ασφάλεια και την ελευθερία στη… pic.twitter.com/iWArK2lgFy
— Nikos Dendias (@NikosDendias) June 8, 2026
The Greek minister’s participation in the EU meeting came after a trip marked by the reported incidents involving the aircraft of several European delegations.
Ankara denies allegations
Turkey rejected the accusations, with the Turkish presidency’s communications office describing reports that Turkish aircraft harassed the planes carrying Dendias and European ministers as “completely false.”
Bazı basın yayın organlarında yer alan ve sosyal medya hesaplarında paylaşılan “Türk uçaklarının Yunanistan Savunma Bakanı Nikos Dendias ve Avrupalı bakanları taşıyan uçakları taciz ettiği ve yine Türk uçaklarının Yunanistan hava sahasını ihlal ettiği” yönündeki iddialar tamamen… pic.twitter.com/pTVy74btUW
— Dezenformasyonla Mücadele Merkezi (@dmmiletisim) June 8, 2026
According to Ankara’s statement, four of six aircraft travelling between Greece and the Republic of Cyprus had entered the airspace of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, which Turkey recognizes as a separate entity.
Turkey said the two F-16 jets were launched as a precautionary measure and claimed they operated within the airspace of the northern part of Cyprus, without violating Cypriot airspace or interfering with the aircraft.
EU defense discussions focused on security
Beyond the incident, the EU Defense Ministers’ meeting addressed wider security issues, including Ukraine, maritime security and freedom of navigation.
Dendias highlighted the importance of Operation ASPIDES, an EU naval mission led by Greece, particularly regarding its mandate and the safety of personnel involved.
The ministers also discussed the EU’s future Security Strategy, focusing on strengthening European defense readiness, improving decision-making mechanisms and enhancing the EU’s role within NATO’s European pillar.
Meeting with Cyprus president
After the council meeting, Dendias met with Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulidis to discuss the conclusions of the EU discussions and efforts to restart dialogue on the Cyprus issue.
The Greek defense minister also congratulated Cyprus on its EU presidency, praising what he described as the successful leadership of a smaller country within the European bloc.
