[ad_1]
European Union leaders will decide on a “carrot and whip” approach for Turkey when they meet on September 24 and 25, the president of the European Council said today, proposing a multilateral conference to ease tensions in the eastern Mediterranean. He reiterated the “full solidarity” of Europeans with Athens.
The EU will reaffirm its support for the sovereignty of Greece and Cyprus, said the president of the European Council, Charles Michel, in an interview with six European news agencies, including Reuters and Agence France-Presse.
“We will identify tools for our foreign policy, a carrot and whip approach, what tools to use to improve the relationship and what tools to use if we are not respected,” he said, adding: “We want to be respected.”
Michel said that the thorny issue of maritime borders in the eastern Mediterranean, energy, security and migration could be discussed at the meeting.
Michel, however, declined to comment on specific initiatives or sanctions that the EU could take against Turkey.
“We do not accept unilateral conduct on the part of Turkey that is inconsistent with international law,” he said.
Michel, who will travel to Greece, Cyprus and Malta before the summit, also suggested holding an international conference on the Eastern Mediterranean with the participation of stakeholders and NATO.
Such a conference, he said, could include “all the countries involved in the various discussions on maritime borders” in the Mediterranean.
“This may be the best way to de-escalate the region and have a channel for dialogue,” said the president of the European Council, adding that he had already mentioned the idea in Athens and Ankara. “What has been happening in recent weeks cannot continue,” he said.
Source: ΑΠΕ-ΜΠΕ
