The Republic of Cyprus has confirmed an incident involving the harassment of aircraft carrying the defence ministers of Greece, the Netherlands and France as they travelled to Cyprus on Sunday evening for an informal meeting of EU defence ministers.
Speaking to CNA on Monday, the Director of the President’s Press Office, Victor Papadopoulos, said Cyprus had been informed by the Greek and Dutch defence ministers, as well as by the French defence minister, that the aircraft on which they were travelling were subjected to interference from the illegal airport in Tymbou.
“We confirm that we have been informed by the defence ministers 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 on which they were travelling received interference from the illegal airport in Tymbou,” Papadopoulos said.
He added that, in the case of Greek Defence Minister Nikos Dendias, Turkish fighter jets were also present in the area.
“In the case of the Greek defence minister, it appears that Turkish fighter jets were flying in parallel with Mr Dendias’ flight from a distance,” he said.
Papadopoulos said the Republic of Cyprus would take the matter to the appropriate international bodies.
“All this will be reported by the Republic of Cyprus to the competent authorities where necessary. The defence minister will brief today the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Ms Kallas, and will also brief the European Council during its proceedings,” he said.
Asked whether the incident may be linked to broader Turkish actions ahead of the meeting and the signing of the Cyprus-France defence agreement, Papadopoulos said it was “an illegal act, outside international law, which is condemnable”.
Philenews first reported the alleged harassment of the aircraft on Sunday evening.
Source: CNA
