Drones over Cyprus, EU presidency postpones ministers’ meeting in Nicosia

Brussels – The Cypriot Presidency of the EU Council has postponed the informal meeting of the 27 European Affairs Ministers scheduled for today (2 March) in Nicosia until a later date. The decision was taken following the drone attack on the British base in Akrotiri, in the south of the island. An “unexpected development that has unfortunately affected today’s flights to Cyprus,” confirmed a spokesperson for the Cypriot Presidency. 

The attack caused “limited damage” to the military base, and Cyprus “was not the target.” Although the exact origin of the drone is currently being verified, it occurred a few hours after the UK allowed the US to strike Iranian missile sites from British bases on the Mediterranean island. A Cypriot government spokesperson stated a short while ago that two other drones headed for the Royal Air Force base in Akrotiri were intercepted before reaching the base. Iran and its allies in the region are targeting several countries in response to the war unleashed by the United States and Israel that led to the killing of the Islamic Republic’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. 

Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, after speaking on the phone with Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides, said in a post on X: “Let me be clear: we stand collectively, firmly, and unequivocally with our Member States in the face of any threat.” Greece has announced that it will send two frigates and two F-16 fighter jets to Cyprus “to contribute to its defence against the threats it faces,” and Greek Defence Minister Nikos Dendias will travel to the eastern Mediterranean island tomorrow. 

The risks and disruptions to air traffic caused by the accident convinced Nicosia, which holds the six-month presidency of the EU Council, to postpone the meeting scheduled in the capital. On the agenda of the  informal Council were discussions on the Union’s next multiannual financial framework, the fight against disinformation, and EU enlargement.

 Another EU-level meeting is scheduled for Thursday, 5 March, in Nicosia, this time involving the Ministers of Culture.