Cyprus has announced that it will file formal complaints against Turkey following a series of unusual aerial incidents that allegedly occurred as European defense ministers were traveling to an EU security summit on the island.

According to Cyprus, the aircraft carrying the defense ministers of **Greece, France, and the Netherlands** experienced radio communication interference while approaching Cyprus. In the case of the Greek defense minister, **Turkish F-16 fighter jets** were reportedly observed operating in the area.

The Cypriot government, which currently holds the rotating presidency of the European Union, said the ministers reported disruptions in radio communications with their aircraft. Cypriot and Greek officials claim the interference originated from air traffic controllers operating out of **Ercan Airport** in northern Cyprus, which is under Turkish control.

According to the reports, two Turkish F-16s took off during the incident and tracked at least one of the aircraft carrying the European officials as it approached Cyprus. The aircraft was reportedly carrying Greek Defense Minister **Nikos Dendias**, although the fighter jets maintained a safe distance and no direct confrontation was reported.

Victor Papadopoulos, director of the Cypriot president’s press office, said Nicosia will raise the issue with the relevant European Union authorities. He added that the Cypriot defense minister is expected to brief EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs **Kaja Kallas** and the European Council on the matter.

Turkey categorically rejected the allegations. **Kürşad Hudaverdioğlu**, head of the Northern Cyprus Air Traffic Controllers Association, insisted that no unusual incident had occurred and said the F-16s were scrambled in response to an operational emergency without violating any boundaries. He argued that claims the fighter jets tracked the European ministers’ aircraft were politically motivated and amounted to a “distorted presentation of reality.”

The incidents took place shortly before the signing of a new defense cooperation agreement between **Cyprus and France** in Nicosia. The agreement is expected to regulate the deployment and presence of French forces on the island and expand bilateral security cooperation. The Turkish-backed authorities in Northern Cyprus have previously opposed the deal, arguing that it could upset the regional balance of power.

(C14)