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The European Union (EU) has said it may impose sanctions on Turkey for “provocations and pressure” on Greece over energy resources and maritime borders. The president of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, called on Ankara to “refrain from unilateral actions” in the eastern Mediterranean. She spoke after the meeting of EU leaders in Brussels, the BBC reported, cited by BNR.
Previously, Turkey and Greece established a military hotline to try to reduce the risk of fighting in the region. Tensions escalated earlier this year when Turkey sent a ship to a disputed area to search for potentially rich oil and gas deposits.
Von der Layen told reporters that the EU wants “positive and constructive relations with Turkey and that would also benefit Ankara.” “But this will only work if the provocations and pressure stop,” he said. Therefore, we hope that Turkey will refrain from taking unilateral action from now on. Should Ankara take action again, the EU will use all available tools and opportunities. We have a lot of tools that we can implement immediately, “he said.
Following the late meeting, EU members agreed to review Turkey’s behavior in December and impose sanctions if the “provocations” are not stopped. Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz said on Twitter after the meeting: “The EU clearly threatens sanctions against Turkey if it continues to violate international law.”
European Council President Charles Michel said the EU is offering Turkey closer trade and other relations, but maintains the threat of sanctions if tensions in the Mediterranean do not subside.
The European Union and Turkey have had fragile relations for a long time. Turkey is a long-term candidate for EU membership, but its efforts are stalled. EU leaders have criticized Turkey’s performance on human rights and the rule of law, especially since the failed military coup in 2016. Despite the tensions, Turkey remains an important partner for the EU. The country is home to millions of immigrants and has reached an agreement with the EU that limits the number of people arriving in Greece.
Both Greece and Turkey are members of NATO, but they have a history of border disputes and maritime rights claims.
Tensions flared in August when Ankara sent a research ship south to the Greek island of Kastelorizo, claimed by Greece, Turkey and Cyprus.
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