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Tensions escalated when Turkey sent a research ship into waters near the Greek islands.
The European Union threatened to impose sanctions on Turkey due to “provocative actions and pressure” exercised by Ankara in light of a dispute with Greece over energy resources and maritime borders.
Ursula von der Leyen, president of the European Commission, called on Turkey to “refrain from taking unilateral measures” in the eastern Mediterranean.
This came in his speech early Friday during a meeting of European Union leaders in Brussels.
Previously, Turkey and Greece established a military hotline in an effort to reduce the risk of fighting in the region.
Tensions rose between the two sides earlier this year, when Turkey sent a research ship to a disputed region in search of oil and gas reserves.
What did the European Union say?
Von der Leyen said during a press conference that the European Union wants “a positive and constructive relationship with Turkey, and that would also benefit Ankara.”
He added: “But (the relationship) will not be successful unless the provocative actions and pressure are stopped.”
“We therefore expect Turkey to refrain, from now on, from taking unilateral measures. Should Ankara’s measures resume, the European Union will use all its available tools and options, and we have a set of measures that can be applied immediately, “he said.
After meeting late, members of the European Union agreed to monitor Turkey’s behavior in December and impose sanctions if “provocative actions” are not stopped.
“The European Union issues an explicit threat to impose sanctions on Turkey if it continues to violate international law,” Austrian Foreign Minister Sebastian Kurtz said in a tweet after the meeting.
Charles Michel, president of the European Council, said the EU was offering Turkey closer ties in trade and other areas, but was threatening to impose sanctions if tensions in the Mediterranean did not subside.
Image posted, EPA
The President of the European Council, Charles Michel and Von der Leyen, participate in the socially divergent summit
What is the background?
The European Union and Turkey have long suffered from an unstable relationship.
Turkey has been a longtime candidate for membership in the European Union, but efforts have failed, while European Union leaders have criticized Turkey’s record on human rights and the rule of law, especially after the 2016 failed coup.
Turkey, despite the tensions, remains an important partner of the European Union.
Turkey is home to millions of migrants and has reached an agreement with the European Union to limit the number of arrivals to neighboring Greece.
Greece and Turkey are members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and have a history of border disputes and competing claims on maritime rights.
Tensions flared last August when Ankara sent a research ship to an area south of the Greek island of Kastelorizo claimed by Greece, Turkey and Cyprus.
Greece described this step as a “dangerous new escalation”, and the European Union supports Cyprus and Greece against Turkey.
Tensions eased somewhat when the research ship returned to Turkish waters last month, and both sides said they were ready to resume talks.
