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On the contrary, time is running out for the two-day European Union Summit (1 and 2 October), during which the question of Turkey will be addressed. Athens and Nicosia are on the battlefield looking for guarantees so that the neighbor does not return to the tactics of aggressive and criminal behavior, but they maintain a “small basket” of how the EU will show its solidarity.
Turkish provocations, and Euro-Turkish relations in general, are expected to be the sole subject of the leaders’ dinner to be held Thursday night in Brussels. Athens demands coherence and continuity in the de-escalation, otherwise the imposition of sanctions against Turkey.
However, in order not to “blow up” exploratory contacts, as analysts estimate will happen if the last scenario is approved, Athens wants a “carrot and whip” tactic, that is, to have the sanctions list on the table if Ankara deviates from the path of diplomacy. This is the context that our country wants to see in the text of the conclusions after the end of the Summit.
As Greek diplomatic sources pointed out shortly before the start of the Summit, “we are not going to approve sanctions, not even to create an automated mechanism”, according to which sanctions against Turkey would be activated automatically in case of criminal behavior.
The most likely scenario is that the EU will not impose sanctions on Turkey, but will give it a stark warning that the sanctions will be triggered if unilateral action is taken. 
European sources downplay the issue of sanctions
Of course, this information is not surprising as Germany has been anticipating this development for days, making various arguments, mainly that “the de-escalation steps in the eastern Mediterranean, to which Erdogan recently agreed, would be immediately reversed if the EU imposed new sanctions (…) ‘.
In this context, German officials make it clear that the Heads of State and Government will not impose new sanctions on individuals and companies involved in Turkey’s naval exploration off the coast of Cyprus. A relevant decision presupposes unanimity and it does not exist.
According to the same source, who welcomed the resumption of exploratory contacts between Athens and Ankara, the two countries are trying to reduce tensions and initiate talks through a “painful diplomatic process”. In this situation, imposing sanctions would be “counterproductive”.
This was preceded by statements from German officials on Tuesday, who described the possibility of imposing sanctions as a “distant scenario.” It is a fact that lately Berlin has been looking for balance, that is, solidarity with Greece and Cyprus and not harsh sanctions for the moment in Turkey, so as not to blow up the diplomacy and the effort made to put Athens and Ankara on the table. of discussions.
For his part, in an invitation letter sent by the President of the European Council, Charles Michel, to European leaders, he said: “Our aim is to create a space for a constructive dialogue with Turkey to achieve stability and security throughout the region and ensure full respect for the sovereignty and sovereign rights of all EU Member States. This will only be possible if Turkey interacts constructively. “All options remain on the table to defend the legitimate interests of the EU and its Member States “. 
Merkel’s anxiety for the refugee
The delicate balances that prevailed in the previous period, as well as her concern for the next day, were addressed by Chancellor Angela Merkel, just one day before the Summit.
The situation in the Eastern Mediterranean and the possibility of a conflict between Greece and Turkey occupied his speech in the German Parliament. It is precisely these relationships, as Chancellor Merkel acknowledged, that are “complex”, with an analysis showing that it intends, if not to appear pro-Erdogan, certainly to maintain a perfect balance between Athens and Ankara.
Merkel warned German lawmakers that “we cannot imagine how small the distance is in some cases between a military conflict and a peaceful settlement.”
However, the foreign minister made it clear that Turkey is a NATO partner and is doing a “wonderful and remarkable job” of hosting four million refugees. “We need to analyze very carefully how to achieve the reduction of tensions, how to strengthen cooperation on refugees and on the humane treatment of refugees,” Merkel said.
We must “redefine our relationship with Turkey every time, but also insist on cooperating with her on important issues,” he added, giving, in some way, the framework within which Germany will move at the Summit. 
Common position Athens – Nicosia
The Athens-Nicosia common position should be taken for granted at the Summit, but the latter, however, has even threatened to veto the decisions on Belarus. Nicosia constantly emphasizes that the reaction of the European Union to the violation of its basic principles and values cannot be à la carte, but it remains to be seen what attitude it will follow during the Summit.
However, a statement by Nikos Anastasiadis could be interpreted as Nicosia’s intention to retract the veto threat, unless appropriate sanctions are imposed on Turkey. “The sanctions are not an end in themselves.” The aim is to finally realize the prevalence of Turkey’s obligations as a candidate country in line with the principles and values of the EU. “
Along the same lines, the Cyprus Foreign Minister, Nikos Christodoulidis, asks for very clear messages against the Turkish provocation in the conclusions of the Summit.
“Cyprus expects the EU and its partners to show solidarity in practice.” The specific defense of our common values and interests and the implementation of our decisions is essential, “it said in a statement. 
Nikos Dendias was also in Cyprus, who – after emphasizing the full coordination of the two countries – declared that the European Council “will be called upon to examine the entire network of Euro-Turkish relations”. And it will be asked to do so in view of its commitment to solidarity with the Member States of the Union, in particular when their sovereignty and sovereign rights are violated by third States. “Because it is a violation of European sovereignty and European sovereign rights.”
“Unfortunately, Turkish crime in the region continues, even with increasing intensity and in an expanding area. From the Caucasus to Libya, the Aegean, Cyprus, the eastern Mediterranean, Syria, Iraq. Greece has signaled that Oruc’s withdrawal Reis was a first step towards de-escalation and we hope that this step will pave the way for exploratory contacts between Greece and Turkey, with the aim of delimiting the EEZ and the continental shelf.
Greece has repeatedly stressed that it always remains open to dialogue, but in the context of international law and the law of the sea. It remains to be seen, then, whether this first step will continue and be consistent on Turkey’s part. Because as you well know here in Cyprus, Turkey is the main violator of international law in our region. “After all, no one can forget that the illegal actions of Turkish ships continue in the Cypriot maritime areas,” he stressed. 
Tsavousoglou is in favor of dialogue
On the opposite shore, from the recent threats of war against our country, Mevlüt Tsavousoglou appeared today with an olive branch and was in favor of dialogue with Greece.
At the same time, he hopes, as he told the Anadolu agency, concrete steps from the Euro Summit. The head of Turkish diplomacy said that there is a “positive atmosphere” in the talks on the Eastern Mediterranean, after Greece agreed to resume contacts between Athens and Ankara.
Tensions have risen recently, he acknowledged, however, accusing Greece, Cyprus and the EU member states of trying to block Turkey’s energy activities in the region on the grounds that the investigations concerned Greek waters, an excuse for that sees “things through the maximalist perspective of the Athens maritime area,” he said.
“Turkey, the country with the longest coastline in the Mediterranean, maintains that this maximalist position is illegal and does not make sense,” he said, noting that Turkey had sent research ships to its own continental shelf.
To exert similar pressure on the EU to avoid sanctions, as well as to declare its presence, Erdogan sent a letter to the leaders, except for Greece and Cyprus, accusing Athens and Nicosia of maximalist positions.
In his letter, he noted that Ankara has two main goals for the region. The first objective is “the fair and legitimate delimitation of maritime jurisdiction in the eastern Mediterranean in accordance with international law and the protection of the sovereign rights of Turkey” and the second is “the guarantee of equal rights for Turkish Cypriots” in terms of water resources.
At the same time, the Turkish president stressed that the demand that Turkey’s investigative actions be stopped is unfair and contrary to the norms of international law, while pointing out – among other things – that Turkey is prepared for a dialogue with Greece without conditions.
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