Turkish audacity: They harassed Dendias’ aircraft!
Turkish fighter jets monitored and interfered with EU defense ministers' flights to Cyprus ahead of an informal council meeting, despite Ankara's efforts to improve relations with the European Union.
Turkish audacity! Interference and surveillance from the Turkish side occurred on Sunday evening, as a military aircraft was transporting Minister of National Defense Nikos Dendias to Cyprus.
Similar incidents were also recorded with state aircraft transporting defense ministers from other European Union member states, such as France and the Netherlands.
According to information reported by Fileleftheros of Cyprus, during the flights there was interference with radio communications from the control tower of the illegal airport of Tymbou. At the same time, two Turkish F-16 fighter jets took off and were visible even from the free areas of the island, while they are reported to have been monitoring the European aircraft from a distance.
The defense ministers are in Cyprus for the informal Foreign Affairs Council (Defense) of the European Union, which will take place on Monday in Nicosia within the framework of the Cypriot Presidency of the EU Council.
Previous incidents
Sources report that similar actions have occurred during previous informal meetings of European officials hosted in Cyprus. The events come at a time when Ankara is seeking to improve its relations with the European Union…
At the same time, María Ángela Holguín, personal envoy of the UN Secretary-General for Cyprus, begins a round of contacts in Nicosia today.
