European Parliament debates Turkish provocations in the Aegean and Mediterranean

On Thursday, the European Parliament held a plenary debate regarding what officials described as "persistent Turkish provocations" in the Aegean and Eastern Mediterranean. The discussion, initiated at the request of MEPs Loukas Fourlas and Manolis Kefalogiannis, focused on ongoing tensions, alleged violations of Greek sovereignty, and the impact of these actions on the Republic of Cyprus and the broader regional security.

The debate coincided with reports from the Greek military detailing a recent violation involving seven Turkish aircraft—two F-16 jets, one CN-235 surveillance plane, and four drones—on Tuesday. Ankara continues to dispute Greek airspace claims, arguing that limits should align with territorial waters rather than the 10-nautical-mile claim maintained by Athens. Cypriot MEP Loukas Fourlas criticized the European Union's response, citing 543 documented violations (520 aerial and 23 naval) within a three-month period.

European Commission envoy Raffaele Fitto emphasized that sustainable de-escalation is essential for EU-Turkish relations and regional stability. He reiterated that the resumption of talks for a comprehensive solution to the Cyprus problem remains a strategic interest. While no immediate sanctions were announced, the discussion underscores the ongoing friction between Turkey and EU member states regarding maritime boundaries and energy survey projects in the region.