ELAM accuses AKEL of objecting to Greek fighter jets at Paphos base
ELAM says AKEL lawmakers raised the issue of Greek F-16s stationed at the Andreas Papandreou air base during a parliamentary committee session on Turkish airspace violations.
ELAM has issued a statement accusing AKEL of being displeased by the presence of the Hellenic Air Force in Cyprus, as reported by the party's announcement.
According to ELAM, during a joint session of the parliamentary committees on Defence and Transport, held to discuss what it described as provocative harassment of civilian flights in the Republic of Cyprus's airspace by Turkish military aircraft and drones, AKEL MPs raised the issue of the Greek F-16s stationed at the "Andreas Papandreou" air base in Paphos.
ELAM argued that this stance leads to the conclusion that AKEL is bothered by the presence of the Hellenic Air Force in Cyprus, which it noted is on the island at the invitation of the Republic of Cyprus and with the aim of defending it against any threat.
The party also claimed that efforts to divert the discussion away from Turkey's actions serve only the narrative of the occupiers, who, it said, hold exactly the same position regarding the presence of Greek fighter aircraft.
What it means for residents
This is a political dispute between two parties over military cooperation and airspace security, with no immediate practical changes for everyday life on the island. Still, the underlying issue — Turkish military activity in Cypriot airspace — is one that affects anyone who flies to or from Cyprus.
- Flights: Harassment of civilian aircraft in Cypriot airspace is a safety concern for passengers and crews; the parliamentary discussion itself signals that the issue is being taken seriously.
- Security debate: The spat over Greek F-16s at Paphos reflects broader disagreements about how Cyprus should be defended, which could shape future decisions on military presence and spending.
- No direct action needed: For now, there is nothing residents must do — but it is worth following how the committees and parties handle airspace security in the coming weeks.
This text is written from the source article and is not a translation of it.
