The leaders of the 27 countries of the European Union reached an agreement on Thursday night (12.10.2020) to start the process of sanctions against Turkish citizens, coinciding diplomatic sources assured.
“Individual sanctions were agreed, and other additional measures will be decided if Turkey maintains its actions,” explained a diplomat. The EU considers Turkey’s conduct in the eastern Mediterranean unacceptable.
Specifically, they want to add more individuals to the current list of sanctions, which includes two people related to the Turkish state oil company, for prospecting for hydrocarbons in waters near Cyprus.
That sanctions framework came into effect in November 2019 and last month it was extended for another year, until November 2021.
In addition, in the conclusions of the summit that European leaders have held since yesterday in Brussels, the High Representative for Foreign Policy of the European Union, Josep Borrell, and the European Commission are asked to study the possibility, between now and March, of expand the scope of these sanctions, depending on how the relationship with Ankara progresses.
More drastic measures
However, they avoid more drastic measures such as carrying out an arms embargo, as requested by Greece, and emphasize that “the offer of a positive agenda between the EU and Turkey remains on the table.”
At the summit on October 1, the Heads of State and Government promised to review the state of relations with Turkey and apply new sanctions if the government of Recep Tayyip Erdogan did not reduce tensions with the EU, especially with Greece and Cyprus.
“Turkey’s unilateral and provocative actions in the eastern Mediterranean are still continuing, including in the Exclusive Economic Zone of Cyprus,” the leaders say in the summit’s conclusions.
However, they “take note” of Turkey’s decision to withdraw the vessel Oruç Reis from Greek waters on November 30.
The 27 reiterate their support for Cyprus and condemn Erdogan’s recent visit to the Varosha neighborhood, in the north of the country, and the decision of the Turkish Cypriot authorities to reopen the area, established 46 years ago as a military zone and considered key in this conflict.
mg (afp, efe, Reuters)
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