Turkish military aircraft and air traffic controllers in Turkish-occupied northern Cyprus harassed aircraft carrying Greek and European defense officials en route to Cyprus on Sunday, according to Greek and Cypriot media reports.
The incident involved a military aircraft transporting Greek Defense Minister Nikos Dendias, as well as aircraft carrying the defense ministers of France and the Netherlands, the reports said.
According to the reports, radio communications with the aircraft were disrupted by controllers operating from Ercan Airport in the Turkish-controlled northern part of the island. Two Turkish F-16 fighter jets also reportedly took off from the area and tracked the government aircraft carrying the European officials as they approached Cyprus, while maintaining a distance.
The incident occurred hours before Cyprus and France were due to sign a Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) on Monday, a defense cooperation accord establishing the legal framework governing the presence of French military personnel on the island. The agreement was scheduled to be signed in Nicosia by Cypriot Defense Minister Vasilis Palmas and his French counterpart, Catherine Vautrin.
Cyprus has remained divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded the island following a coup by supporters of union with Greece.
