Cyprus protests Turkish violations of its airspace

Cyprus has protested to the UN new violations of its airspace and of FIR (Flight Information Region) Nicosia by Turkish fighter jets.

An official statement said that in a letter to the UN Secretary General, dated 9 August and circulated on August 16, Charge D’ Affaires of the Permanent Mission of Cyprus to the UN, Andreas Hadjichrysanthou drew attention to the violations of international air traffic regulations and the national airspace of Cyprus by military aircraft of the Turkish Air Force recorded from 6 June to 31 July.

In his letter, Hadjichrysanthou protested the violations and appealed “for their immediate cessation”, noting that “Turkey’s policy of non-observance of established rules and regulations governing international aviation gravely jeopardises flight safety in the Eastern Mediterranean.”

“These provocative and irresponsible actions by Turkey, in conjunction with the recently pursued Turkish policy of regional hegemony, which covets the maritime resources of the Republic of Cyprus, present a serious destabilizing factor and generate tension in the region”, the Cypriot diplomat said.

Furthermore, “such policies and actions provide ample demonstration of the irresponsible behaviour of a country that otherwise aspires to assume a non-permanent seat on the Security Council,” Hadjichrysanthou added.