President Nikos Christodoulides described on Monday the interference with flights carrying EU Defence Ministers as ‘unacceptable’, saying that such behaviour also reflects a revisionist approach.
Speaking to journalists at the Presidential Palace following his meeting with the UN Secretary-General’s Personal Envoy, María Ángela Holguín, the President was asked to comment on the interference with the flights of Defence Ministers travelling to Cyprus for the informal meeting of EU Defence Ministers.
‘Such interference is unacceptable,’ he said. ‘There is absolutely no justification for it’, he added, noting that the fact that it involves aircraft from European Union member states, France, the Netherlands and Greece, ‘also demonstrates, if you like, a revisionist approach.’
President Christodoulides said he had spoken on Sunday evening with Cyprus’ Defence Minister and was due to meet later in the day with Greece’s Defence Minister, Nikos Dendias.
‘I have the impression that the issue will also be discussed at the Defence Ministers’ Council,’ he said, noting that, as far as he understood, the interference had not been limited to the aircraft carrying the Greek Defence Minister but had also affected the Defence Ministers of France and the Netherlands.
‘We expect the matter to be discussed at the Defence Ministers’ Council and, from there, we will consider what further action to take also with the EU’, he added.