Farantouris Urges Sanctions Over Turkish F-16 Deployment in Occupied Cyprus – Appeals to Commission and U.S. Government

Nikolas Farantouris, MEP and member of the European Parliament’s committees on Security & Defence and EU-US relations, has submitted an urgent Written Parliamentary Question to the European Commission regarding the deployment of Turkish F-16s in occupied Cyprus.

As he emphasizes, “this move occurs during a particularly sensitive period for regional security, given the crisis in the Middle East and ongoing developments surrounding Iran.”

“The deployment of Turkish fighter jets in the occupied part of Cyprus by Turkey constitutes an act of military escalation and power projection; it violates principles of international law, the European acquis, and the good neighborly relations that the European Union demands from Turkey.”

Violation of U.S. Defense Materiel Regulations

The Greek MEP and Professor of Law also points out that “the presence of American-made aircraft on the territory of an unrecognized entity violates the United States’ military equipment export regime, and specifically legislation governing arms transfers.”

“I call upon both the European Commission and the U.S. Government to state clearly whether the deployment of Turkish fighter jets on occupied European territory is compatible with European Union principles and American law, especially at a time when Turkey seeks to further deepen Euro-Turkish and Atlantic relations, as well as upgrade its customs and defense cooperation,” Nikolas Farantouris concludes.

I have just submitted an urgent Written Parliamentary Question on the Turkish F-16 fighter jets on occupied Cyprus’ European territory. I’m calling for reaction from the European Union and the U.S. government. Details below:

As a member of the European Parliament’s Committee on Security & Defense and of the EU–U.S. Delegation, I call on the European Commission to clarify its position regarding the deployment of Turkish F-16 fighter jets in the occupied part of the Republic of Cyprus.

This move comes at a particularly sensitive time for regional security, given the crisis in the Middle East and developments involving Iran.

The deployment of Turkish fighter aircraft in the occupied part of Cyprus is an act of military escalation and power projection. It violates principles of international law, the EU acquis, and the good-neighborly relations the European Union expects from Turkey.

At the same time, the presence of U.S.-made aircraft on the territory of an unrecognized entity raises questions about compliance with U.S. military export controls, particularly under the framework governing arms transfers.

I call on the European Commission and the U.S. government to clearly state whether the deployment of Turkish fighter jets on occupied European territory is consistent with EU and U.S. law and with Turkey’s obligations—especially at a time when Turkey seeks deeper Euro-Turkish and transatlantic ties, as well as upgrades in customs and defense cooperation.

🚨 I have just submitted an urgent Written Parliamentary Question on the Turkish F-16 fighter jets on occupied Cyprus’ European territory. I’m calling for reaction from the European Union and the U.S. government. Details below:

➡️ As a member of the European Parliament’s… pic.twitter.com/XvSPnd3n8z

— Νικόλας Φαραντούρης / Nikolas Farantouris (@NFarantouris) March 10, 2026