The European Commission on Monday reiterated that it was examining reports of Turkish interference involving military aircraft carrying European defense ministers to Cyprus, including Greek Defense Minister Nikos Dendias, ahead of a high-level EU defense meeting in Nicosia last week.
Asked about the incident during the Commission’s daily press briefing, spokesperson Anita Hipper said Brussels was aware of the reports and would seek further clarification.
“We have seen the reports and, of course, we are aware of the issue. We will look into exactly what happened and, naturally, remain in contact with our counterparts in Cyprus,” Hipper said.
The comments followed reports of Turkish actions on Sunday evening targeting state aircraft transporting Dendias as well as the defense ministers of France and the Netherlands to Cyprus.
According to information cited by Cypriot media, radio communications with the aircraft carrying the Greek defense minister were subjected to interference from the control tower of the airport at Tymbou in the Turkish-occupied north of the island, which the Republic of Cyprus considers illegal. Reports also said two Turkish F-16 fighter jets took off from the same area and monitored, from a distance, the aircraft carrying European ministers as they approached Cyprus.
The ministers were traveling to Cyprus for an informal meeting of EU defense ministers hosted in Nicosia on Monday. The gathering focused on European defense cooperation, support for Ukraine, and security challenges in the Eastern Mediterranean and Middle East, reflecting the growing strategic role Cyprus has sought to play within the European Union’s security architecture.
The incident came amid renewed tensions between the European Union and Turkey over regional security issues and follows a series of diplomatic and defense-related engagements involving Cyprus, Greece, and key European partners. Similar episodes have been reported during previous visits by senior European officials to the island, an EU member-state, underscoring the continued sensitivity surrounding Cyprus’ division.
