Europe sends a firm message to Ankara, and threats of sanctions
The strategy for dialogue and determination with Ankara should be reviewed at the European summit planned for December. After intensive discussions, the heads of state and government of the Union also emphasized that Ankara should withdraw its ships from the waters of Cyprus, similar to the withdrawal from the waters of Greece. If not, the only sanction option is available.
The two-day meeting of the heads of state and government of the European Union in Brussels sent a firm message to Turkey, accompanied by the threat of sanctions against them if the illegal drilling in the territorial waters of Cyprus were not stopped.
In a press conference after the first day of the summit, which lasted until Thursday, Friday, midnight, the President of the European Council, Charles Michel, confirmed that “the dialogue with Turkey depends on the cessation of unilateral action”
He also stated that “the European summit set a horizon for December to review different approaches to Turkey.” He continued: “We support the approach of dialogue within the framework of absolute respect for European principles and values” and stressed: “We have agreed on a strategy of the duality of dialogue and determination.”
He also added: “We support the resumption of the path to solving the divided Cyprus crisis under the supervision of the United Nations.”
Provocations and pressure
For her part, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said that the European Union could impose sanctions on Ankara if Turkey’s “provocations and pressure” persist in the eastern Mediterranean.
In a press conference she added: “We want a positive and constructive relationship with Turkey and this will also be in Ankara’s best interests.”
She continued: “But (this relationship) will not be successful unless the provocations and pressures stop. Therefore we expect Turkey to refrain from unilateral action from now on.
Turkish exploration ship Uruk Reis
Ankara and Nagorno-Karabakh
French President Emmanuel Macron, who condemned the intervention of mercenaries in the conflict in the Nagorno-Karabakh region, announced that he would ask his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan for “explanations” and call on NATO to back up the actions of Ankara, a Member of the alliance.
At the European Union summit in Brussels, he said: “A red line has been crossed. I say this is unacceptable and I call on all NATO partners to face the behavior of one of the member states of the alliance.”
It is noteworthy that the clashes that have erupted in Nagorno-Karabakh since last Sunday have been added to the differences between Ankara and the European Union, from exploring the Mediterranean to the Libyan Act, migrants and others.
The dispute between Turkey and several European countries has intensified dramatically since August 10, after Ankara sent the exploration ship Uruk Reis to the eastern Mediterranean.
