European Parliament calls to take sanctions against Turkey without delay
European Parliament will discuss a draft resolution to take sanctions against Turkey without delay, in response to its attempts to impose a fait accompli in Cyprus and its territorial waters.
In the draft resolution, the European Parliament condemns the reopening of part of Varosha by Turkish Cypriots.
In its resolution, the European Parliament calls on Turkey to withdraw its forces from Cyprus and return “Varosha” to its population under the supervision of the United Nations and its temporary administration of the region.
The resolution warns that “creating a new reality on the ground undermines confidence and threatens the prospects for a comprehensive solution to the Cyprus problem, as it deepens the gap between the two parties and strengthens the division of the island.”
The Parliament calls on European leaders to maintain a unified position against Turkey’s unilateral and illegal actions, and at the same time to consider imposing sanctions against specific actors.
It also renews the adherence of the Union as a whole to finding a comprehensive solution to the Cyprus problem on the basis of a federal state with two nationalities and two regions, rejecting Turkey’s attempts to divide the island.
In a related context, Commissioner for External Relations of the EU Joseph Borrell said, “The EU hopes for a change in Turkey’s position before the European summit on December 10,” adding that “European leaders will decide to respond to Turkey’s actions at the December summit.”
On the other hand, the Cyprus News Agency quoted the Cypriot Minister of Defense as saying: “We seek to reach a settlement on the Cyprus problem through UN Security Council resolutions and not economic sanctions on Turkey.”
He added, “Sanctions on Turkey remain on the table as long as Ankara continues to spread tension in the region.”
In the meantime, the European Commission defended, Wednesday, an inspection of a cargo ship flying the Turkish flag, carried out by elements of the German navy.
The Commission confirmed that the measure was taken in the implementation of the directives of the European IRINI operation within the framework of the arms embargo imposed on Libya.
