Summit: “Heavy” weather for Turkey – Greece increases pressure with arms embargo | POLITICS



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The summit did not impose sanctions on Turkey, something that had been ruled out very early, but Greece, by placing an arms embargo on the sanctions agenda under discussion, added another means of pressure on Ankara.

Heavy weather on the Summit

The climate in Brussels has been difficult for Turkey from the beginning, which is characterized as unreliable by both the leaders of the European Union and the member states. Even countries that until recently tried to balance themselves by avoiding using harsh language about Turkey’s behavior expressed concern and concern about the tactics followed. The Prime Minister, having a complete picture of this climate, decided yesterday to present to the European Council, before all the leaders, an additional measure that will put pressure on Ankara and that is the imposition of an arms embargo on Turkey.

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At a time when Tayyip Erdogan has opened a number of fronts, from Azerbaijan’s outspoken support for the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict to Syria, Libya, Egypt and the eastern Mediterranean, such a move could cast doubt on the possibility. to confront them and drastically reduce the geopolitical power of the neighbor. The Greek side can maintain the very positive of the Summit the fact that, according to the information, the proposal of Kyriakos Mitsotakis was favored within the Summit and there was support from the Franco-German axis with a more fervent supporter, Mr. Macron.

This enriches with another key weapon the toolbox that had already been adopted by the Foreign Affairs Council in case the EU decides to take action against Turkey.

The arms embargo demanded by Greece

According to sources, the arms embargo will be considered in the context of the overall assessment of Turkey’s behavior over the next three weeks, in the spirit of the conclusions of the European Council on 1 and 2 October. An emergency conference call on Brexit will take place in November, with a great chance to re-discuss Turkey, especially if it continues to challenge. In essence this is a three week period before the Union considers imposing sanctions in a stricter context if it deems it necessary. Of course, this is a diplomatic marathon given the balances within the Summit Council, something that Mr. Mitsotakis characteristically described during yesterday’s press conference: “If we would like something sooner something faster, it can be a discussion. theoretical, but you know very well that reaching conclusions requires unanimity. Not even a majority. “



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