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German Chancellor Angela Merkel talks with Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and his Portuguese counterpart Antonio Costa during the Brussels Summit (photo by EPA / OLIVIER MATTHYS).
BRUSSELS – ANSWER. The leaders of the 27 EU member states reached an agreement after many hours of negotiations. on the European Council conclusions on Turkey. The final text, although improved compared to the original draft, is far from the solid answer that Athens wanted.
In its final form, as it emerged shortly before 1 am local time, the findings call for additional penalties for “Turkey’s unauthorized drilling activities in the eastern Mediterranean” (the point refers to drilling in the Cyprus EEZ). . In addition, the EU High Representative Chancellor Josep Borrell is invited to include in the evaluation report on Euro-Turkish relations, which will present in the coming months his assessment of the possibility of “expanding the scope” of these sanctions (possibly to include the activity of Oruç Reis), as well as “other options and tools”. The deadline for the evaluation of the Borrell report is the European Council next March “at the latest”.
The findings condemn Turkey’s “unilateral and provocative” actions in the eastern Mediterranean. Government sources describe the condemnation as “absolute and clear”, while stressing that the condition for the resumption and continuation of the bilateral investigative contacts is Ankara’s abstention from illegal activities. “Europe is taking one step at a time. That is what it did in this Council.” Another step that is a strong warning to Turkey to change its behavior, “say the same sources.
However, in the conclusions the reference to the “strategic interest of the EU” was retained. for a “cooperative and mutually beneficial relationship with Turkey”. The proposal for a positive agenda “remains on the table”, as has been said, “in the event that Turkey wishes to promote a genuine partnership with the Union and its Member States and resolve disputes through dialogue and in accordance with the law. international”. . In fact, possible areas of such a positive agenda are mentioned: the economy and trade, contacts at the citizen level, high-level dialogues and “permanent cooperation on migration issues.”
In the last round of consultations, a reference to EU readiness was added. “Cooperate [με την Τουρκία] for the responsible management of migration flows to all member states and the strengthening of efforts in the fight against illicit trafficking networks ”(something the Greek side insisted on). For the Cyprus issue, at the point where the EU commitment is mentioned. In a UN resolution and on the basis of relevant Security Council resolutions, it was added that the European Council “expects the same from Turkey.”
Until last night, the notorious Berlin-Rome-Madrid bloc insisted on postponing serious decisions, with Italians particularly negative about the prospect of new sanctions against Ankara. The position of Greece and Cyprus was weakened by the apparent reluctance of France to insist on more substantial measures, while Austria also seemed to rest on the lukewarm wording of the original drafts.
The second draft of conclusions for Turkey, released yesterday (Thursday) morning, contained only minor changes compared to Wednesday. Athens and Nicosia, starting at 8pm local time, when the debate on Turkey began (which was repeatedly interrupted to discuss other issues, especially the EU’s climate targets for 2030), pushed for formalities. The results they achieved were quite limited.
