Turkey was accused of a fresh series of provocative actions on Sunday evening after allegedly interfering with the communications of state aircraft transporting Greek Defence Minister Nikos Dendias, as well as the defence ministers of France and the Netherlands, to Cyprus. The incidents occurred just hours before the informal meeting of European Union defence ministers in Nicosia.
According to reports, the aircraft experienced radio interference that was allegedly transmitted from the unauthorized air traffic control tower at Tymbou Airport in the Turkish-controlled northern part of the island.
The first reported incident involved the aircraft carrying the French and Dutch defence ministers. Sources claim that their communications were disrupted by radio transmissions originating from the control tower at Tymbou.
A second incident followed shortly afterward, affecting the aircraft carrying Greek Defence Minister Nikos Dendias, along with other state aircraft transporting European delegations. Reports indicate that additional radio interference was recorded while two Turkish F-16 Fighting Falcon jets took off from the Tymbou area and monitored the aircrafts’ route from a distance without approaching them directly.
The activity was reportedly visible from areas under the control of the Republic of Cyprus.
Sources within the Cypriot Ministry of Defence stated that at 7:14 pm local time authorities were informed of interference affecting the aircraft carrying the French and Dutch ministers. The disruption was attributed to transmissions from the control tower of the unauthorized airport at Tymbou in the occupied territory.
A second notification was received at 19:51 concerning the aircraft carrying the Greek minister and other European delegations. The report again referred to radio interference and confirmed the take-off of two Turkish F-16s, which remained at a distance and did not directly approach the aircraft involved.
The incidents come at a politically sensitive moment, as Nicosia hosts the informal meeting of EU defence ministers under Cyprus’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union.
The agenda includes discussions on current and emerging security challenges, developments in Ukraine, maritime security concerns, and efforts to strengthen European defence cooperation.
Particular attention is expected to focus on the implementation of Article 42(7) of the Treaty on European Union, the bloc’s mutual assistance clause, which commits member states to aid one another in the event of armed aggression.
Despite the reported interference, all aircraft completed their journeys without incident and landed safely.
Nevertheless, the episode adds to a growing list of tensions in the Eastern Mediterranean at a time when European governments are placing increased emphasis on defence coordination and regional security. The involvement of aircraft carrying senior European officials is likely to intensify scrutiny of aviation safety and security arrangements in the region, while potentially prompting further discussion among EU member states regarding Turkey’s conduct.
