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Leaders attending the MED7 Euro-Mediterranean Conference, which ended Thursday night in Corsica, are sending a message to Turkey.
In the text of the conclusions (Declaration of Ajaccio) and in paragraph 6 on Peace and Stability in the Mediterranean, the leaders express their full support and solidarity in Greece and Cyprus for the repeated violations of sovereignty and sovereign rights, as well as for the aggressive actions of Turkey.
They call on all countries in the region to comply with international law, in particular international maritime law, and encourage all parties to resolve their differences through dialogue and negotiation.
They also welcome the mediation effort of Josep Borrell and Germany with a view to continuing the dialogue between Greece and Turkey on the issue of Maritime Zones.
The seven leaders, taking into account the conclusions of the recent European Council, deplore the fact that Turkey has not responded to repeated calls by the EU to end its unilateral and illegal actions in the Eastern Mediterranean and the Aegean.
The leaders, regarding the possibility of sanctions, affirm – after the informal Council of Foreign Ministers (Gymnich) in August – that they agree to work on additional lists based on the proposals presented so far, to be adopted immediately.
They argue that, in the absence of progress in Turkey’s participation in the dialogue, unless it ends unilateral activities, the EU is ready to draw up a list of new restrictive measures to be discussed at the European Council meeting in the days September 24 and 25, 2020.
Mr. Mitsotakis: End of challenges and start of discussions
The conclusions of the summit of the countries of southern Europe today send a very clear message to Turkey and show it the way, if it wants an honest dialogue with Greece, Cyprus, the EU, it must demonstrate it in practice, Prime Minister Kyriakos stressed. Mitsotakis. .
In a statement issued at the joint press conference, he said that Turkey should immediately stop unilateral actions, provide convincing evidence that it strictly and non-selectively abides by international standards, adding: “As far as we are concerned, which one has been the case for a long time? and we have been saying for a long time: end of challenges and start of discussions.
He made it clear that in the run-up to the EU summit, “we will prevent Turkey from trying to divide Europe” and stressed that support for Greece and Cyprus was not an expression of solidarity, but rather a recognition of the fact that interests were now at stake. strategic. Europe itself.
Emanuel Macron, for his part, referring to Russia and Turkey, he denounced the “hegemonic play of historical forces” in the Mediterranean, from Libya to Syria.
“Our Mediterranean is today the scene of a prolonged conflict in Syria and Libya. The French president.
What was said at the meeting
Earlier, Kyriakos Mitsotakis and Emanuel Macron had a meeting which, according to government sources, expressed “absolute conformity and compatibility in the central strategy towards Turkey.”
During the meeting the latest developments and the escalation of Turkish criminal behavior in the eastern Mediterranean were discussed. It was emphasized that a dialogue with Turkey is possible if the challenges are stopped immediately; otherwise, the way for sanctions is open. The prospect and interest of a strategic relationship were also discussed.
It warmly welcomed “the unanimous position, but also the determination of all European leaders, as reflected in today’s joint statement on the need to end the illegal actions of Ankara in the EEZ of Cyprus and Greece”, the President of Cyprus, Nikos Anastasiadis.
He stressed that “with the joint statement we agree that we will use all means at the disposal of the EU to address the Turkish provocation, including additional sanctions against all those involved in illegal activities in Cyprus, and that the question of relations with the EU” Turkey will be subject to further discussion at the next European Council. “
The President of Cyprus reiterated that he “repeatedly asked Ankara to respect international law and enter into negotiations for the delimitation of maritime zones between us or the presentation, if they refuse, of the whole case to the International Court of Justice in The Hague.” .
In view of the upcoming debate on Turkey in the extraordinary session of the European Council, the President of Cyprus stressed the need for a united, consistent and strong response to the Turkish provocation, if there is no respect for the initiatives of the European leaders and the fulfillment of the international right.
