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The European Union on Friday, October 2, warned it would impose sanctions on Turkey amid escalating tensions with Greece over energy resources and maritime borders. According to international media reports, the president of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, has urged Ankara to maintain regional peace and stability. She also called on Ankara to “refrain from unilateral actions” in the eastern Mediterranean region.
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EU warns Turkey of sanctions
Addressing a meeting of EU leaders, the Head of the European Commission said they want a positive and constructive relationship with Turkey and Ankara. He added that this will work when provocations and tensions cease and Turkey refrains from unilateral actions from now on. Earlier, seven European nations came together over their shared concerns about rising tensions in the Mediterranean and urged Turkey to end its “unilateral and illegal activities” in the region. As Turkey seeks to expand its energy resources in the Mediterranean, France, Greece, Cyprus, Malta, Italy, Spain and Portugal tried to meet in Corsica for de-escalation talks on Thursday, September 10.
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In their statement, the leaders also reaffirmed their support for Greece and Cyprus, who they claim have faced “hostile actions” from Turkey. The statement further added that if Turkey continues its aggressive activities in the Mediterranean and rejects attempts to open dialogue, then the EU is ready to develop a full list of restrictive measures that will be applied to the Erdogan government.
Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said on Sept. 29 that the United States strongly supports the dialogue between Greece and Turkey, amid growing tensions over energy resources. Pompeo is on a two-day trip to Greece and visited the NATO base in Souda Bay in Crete with Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis.
Tensions between Greece and Turkey escalated after Ankara sent research ships to search for resources in the eastern Mediterranean. The research ships were accompanied by warships, which angered the Greek side, which immediately asked Turkey to withdraw the ships. Greece sent its own warships to the area, stoking fear among regional partners. The European Union has warned Ankara of possible sanctions for its actions in the eastern Mediterranean.
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