Europe imposes new sanctions on Turkey … and Ankara responds

The leaders of the European Union decided to adopt a new package of sanctions against Turkey, due to its “unilateral and provocative activities in the eastern Mediterranean”, which angered Ankara, which called the decision detrimental to common interests.

According to the results of the European Council summit, “The Council calls for the adoption of additional lists based on its decision issued on 11 November 2019 regarding restrictive measures in light of unauthorized Turkish exploration activities in the Eastern Mediterranean “.

Turkey said in a statement that the decision was the latest chapter in an episode of escalation in relations between the European Union and Turkey.

The statement added: “Although several EU member states, including the current presidency of the Council of the European Union, have sought dialogue and contact with Turkey since the EU summit on 1 and 2 October, it has not been established a positive agenda. In the relations between Turkey and the Union afterwards ”.

Ankara attributed this “to the narrow political calculations of a very small number of dubs. Consequently, the European Union cannot stop its search for restrictive measures, which does not make sense ”.

According to a press release issued on November 11, 2019, “The sanctions will consist of bans on travel to the European Union, freezing of assets and freezing of assets of entities. Furthermore, European Union individuals and entities will be prohibited from making funds available to those on the list. “

In February 2020, the board placed two people, the vice president and the deputy director of the Exploration Department of the Turkish Petroleum Corporation (TPAO), under restrictive measures.

Turkey said the decision to extend the sanctions was an abuse of power by Greece and Cyprus.

A statement by Turkey’s Foreign Ministry added that “presenting their extremist demands and unjust policies by abusing member solidarity and veto rights by some member states has put relations between Turkey and the European Union in a vicious circle. “

The statement continued: “This situation damages the common interests of Turkey and the European Union, as well as peace, security and stability in our region.”

On Friday, French President Emmanuel Macron said the new sanctions “show that the European Union will no longer accept any destabilizing action within its reach,” while European Union summit chief Charles Michel said that the Union wants “responsible cooperation with Turkey” on this issue.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel indicated that arms exports to Turkey “will be discussed among NATO members, alongside the next US administration.”

The European Union also condemned the “unilateral measures that Turkey has taken in Varosha”, an abandoned city in Cyprus currently controlled by Turkey, which the Turkish Cypriots opened for a visit in October.

The European Union remains “ fully committed to a comprehensive solution to the Cyprus problem, within the framework of the United Nations and in accordance with the relevant resolutions of the UN Security Council and in accordance with the principles on which the European Union, ” while “ the same is expected from Turkey, ” according to the results of this week’s summit.

At one point, Ankara criticized the European border force (Frontex) and Greece, for their treatment of migrants and refugees in the Aegean Sea.

Turkey’s Foreign Ministry said: “Greece’s repulsion of refugees in the Aegean Sea and the inclusion of Frontex in these proceedings is outrageous. It is not possible to speak of cooperation in the responsible management of migratory flows, until the mass deportations and these violations, which constitute a serious violation of human rights and are strongly condemned by international public opinion, end.

The ministry said that the European Union must show sensitivity regarding the management of migration not towards Turkey, but specifically towards Greece, which has organized the inhumane treatment of refugees.

Previously, CNN reported that there were migrant repulsions in the Aegean Sea.

In addition to the sanctions, the High Representative of the European Union, Joseph Borrell, called for a report on the state of political, economic and trade relations between the European Union and Turkey and on the tools and options to move forward, including expanding the scope of the aforementioned resolution for consideration at the latest. In March 2021 »