Turkey scrambles F-16s as Greek, French and Dutch defence ministers fly to Cyprus for EU summit
Two Turkish F-16s shadowed aircraft carrying the Greek, French and Dutch defence ministers to an informal EU defence summit in Nicosia on Sunday evening, while radio interference was reported from the breakaway north.
The incident
Aircraft carrying the defence ministers of Greece, France and the Netherlands encountered radio interference and were shadowed by two Turkish F-16s on Sunday evening as they approached Cyprus for an informal EU defence ministers' meeting. The interference was attributed to the control tower of the airport in Tymbou, located in the Turkish-occupied north of the island. The two F-16s took off from the same area and monitored the ministers' flights from a distance, according to Cypriot and Greek sources.
We confirm that we have been informed by the Defence Minister of Greece and the Netherlands, as well as by the Defence Minister of France, that during their visit to Cyprus to participate in the Foreign Affairs Council on defence matters, the aircraft they were on received interference from the illegal airport of Tymbou.
Turkish denial
Turkey's presidency issued a statement on Monday rejecting the harassment claims as "completely false" and accusing the reports of aiming to "mislead international public opinion and create tension." The statement said four of six aircraft operating on the Greece–southern Cyprus route violated the airspace of the "Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus" (TRNC), a state recognised only by Turkey. Two Turkish F-16s on alert in the TRNC intervened as a "precautionary measure," flying within TRNC airspace without violating the airspace of the Greek Cypriot administration.
The claims that Turkish aircraft harassed the aircraft carrying Greek Defence Minister Nikos Dendias and European ministers and that Turkish aircraft violated Greek airspace are completely false.
Cyprus to raise the issue at EU level
Cyprus confirmed it will formally lodge complaints through appropriate international channels. Cypriot Defence Minister Vasilis Palmas is expected to brief the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas, during the summit. The Cypriot presidency's press office said the matter would also be raised during the proceedings of the European Council.
All of this will be denounced by the Republic of Cyprus appropriately where it should be. The Defence Minister will inform the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Ms Kallas, today, and will also inform the European Council during its proceedings.
SOFA agreement backdrop
The incident occurred hours before France and Cyprus were due to sign a Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) on Monday, allowing Paris to station troops on the island. Greek defence ministry sources, cited by Cypriot media, assessed the harassment as part of a broader Turkish reaction to the impending agreement. The Turkish Cypriot side had already labelled the SOFA deal "null and void" and warned it could alter the balance of power on the island.
Dendias briefs EU counterparts
During the informal EU defence ministers' meeting in Nicosia, Greek Defence Minister Nikos Dendias briefed his European counterparts on the radio interference originating from the occupied territories of Cyprus. He also stressed the need to strengthen the European defence industry within the framework of the European security strategy. The ministers exchanged views on developments in Ukraine, maritime security and freedom of navigation.
Additionally, following a relevant reference by my Cypriot counterpart, Vasilis Palmas, I briefed on the Turkish harassment via radio, originating from the occupied territories of the Republic of Cyprus.
- Cypriot defence sources receive first report of radio interference against French and Dutch ministers' aircraft from Tymbou control tower.
- Second report received: interference against Greek minister Dendias's aircraft and European delegations; two Turkish F-16s confirmed airborne from Tymbou.
- First Greek media reports (Kathimerini) publish details of the harassment incident.
- Cypriot presidency press office confirms the incident and announces intention to file formal complaints.
- Dendias briefs EU defence ministers during the informal summit in Nicosia; Cyprus confirms it will inform EU High Representative Kaja Kallas.
- Turkish presidency issues statement denying harassment, claiming F-16s acted as a precaution within TRNC airspace.
Wider diplomatic context
The incident comes amid increased diplomatic activity on the Cyprus issue, with the UN Secretary-General's personal envoy, María Ángela Holguín, beginning contacts in Nicosia ahead of new initiatives to restart the peace process. It also unfolds as Turkey seeks to revive its EU agenda and improve relations with Brussels, while simultaneously engaging in practices of contestation and power projection in the region, even during high-level European meetings hosted in Cyprus.
