Cyprus said Monday it will lodge formal complaints over reported interference with aircraft carrying the defense ministers of Greece, the Netherlands and France en route to the island for an informal European Union defense meeting.
The Cypriot government confirmed the incident after being briefed by the three ministers, according to Victor Papadopoulos, director of the press office of the president of the Republic of Cyprus.
“We confirm that we have been informed by the defense ministers of Greece, the Netherlands and France that during their visit to Cyprus … the aircraft they were on received interference from the illegal Tymbou airport,” Papadopoulos said, referring to an airport in the Turkish-occupied north that is not recognized internationally.
He added that in the case of Greek Defense Minister Nikos Dendias, Turkish fighter jets were also observed operating in the area.
“In the case of the defense minister of Greece, it appears that Turkish fighter jets were flying at a distance, parallel to Mr Dendias’ flight,” Papadopoulos said.
