EU defence ministers face alleged flight interference near Cyprus

On June 7, 2026, aircraft carrying the defense ministers of Greece, France, and the Netherlands were allegedly subjected to interference while traveling to Cyprus for an informal EU Foreign Affairs Council meeting. Nicosia officials reported that the incidents involved wireless interference from the Tymbou (Ercan) airport control tower and close-proximity monitoring by two Turkish F-16 fighter jets. Cyprus President Nikos Christodoulides condemned the actions as unacceptable and revisionist, confirming that the matter would be discussed at the EU Council. In contrast, the Turkish Presidency’s Communications Directorate issued a formal denial, stating the reports were entirely false. Turkey claimed that four out of six aircraft flying from Greece to Cyprus had violated the airspace of the self-declared Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. Turkish officials stated that their F-16s were deployed as a precautionary measure within their own airspace and did not harass any aircraft. The Republic of Cyprus intends to formally file complaints regarding the incident.