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The unyielding stance of Berlin, Rome and Madrid, along with the reluctance of Paris, served as a protective umbrella for Ankara at the European Council in Brussels.
Angela Merkel’s vertical refusal to consent to anything that would disproportionately displease Turkey, even though Recep Tayyip Erdoγan’s interlocutor has repeatedly torpedoed German Wishes. 
In good faith, the two main Mediterranean countries of the European Union (EU), Italy and Spain, rejected any attempt by Athens to include in the European Council Conclusions clear references and provisions for restrictive measures in response to its continued criminal conduct. Turkey.
Disappointment for France
However, the frustration of government circles with France’s attitude was obvious. His widespread, public and anti-Turkish rhetoric Emanuel Macron It has essentially evaporated within the European Council, as the traditional concern over a possible split in the Franco-German axis has acted as a deterrent, on the grounds that there is no consensus on tougher measures. Bulgaria and Malta are said to have spoken out in favor of the Turkish positions at different stages. 
In this context, it is not surprising that Erdogan seemed dissatisfied with the results of the Summit. even accusing the EU of succumbing to veto pressure from Greece and Cyprus.
The question that arises now is whether and when the Greek-Turkish exploratory contacts will be resumed, which is why Berlin is pushing hard. The Conclusions speak of their immediate repetition and it is expected to see if Ankara will propose a relevant date in Athens, as well as the response of the latter to the Turkish request for “unconditional dialogue”. As for the smooth continuation of the exploratory contacts mentioned in the Conclusions, no one dares to bet at this time.
Rejection of applications
Since Athens had entered into negotiations with a trio of requests, more specifically the inscription in the text of the Conclusions clear references to the need for countermeasures for violations of the EU-Turkey Customs Union by Ankara (there is a relevant Commission report at the one that), in the sectoral sanctions and, in the background, in the arms embargoes, the general conclusion is that these objectives have not been achieved. 
The arms embargo
Specially for arms embargo, for which reason the Kyriakos Mitsotakis He insisted at the press conference that it is not a matter for the European Council to decide, since decisions are made at the national level, excessive expectations have recently been invested through leaks and in the press. However, Turkey, which is a member of NATO, is not Russia and, in fact, the criteria are different. As reported to “To Vima”, Ms Merkel seems particularly dissatisfied with Athens’ insistence on raising the issue of the six German Type 214 submarines that Turkey will start to receive from 2022.
Optical illusion on the draft.
What would really satisfy Athens would be the inclusion in the text of clear reports on the customs union and sectoral sanctions.
Particularly for the latter, the position of Berlin was very opposite throughout the consultations even before the presentation of the initial draft of Conclusions last Wednesday.
Also, the “light in the tunnel”, which appeared on Thursday night when, in the third draft, reference was made to the EU-Turkey Customs Union and the violations committed by Ankara, turned out to be an illusion.
The Spanish Prime Minister Pedro sanchez He strongly opposed any such report, insisting that trade issues should remain on the positive agenda.
His Italian counterpart moved on the same wavelength Giuseppe Conte, which according to community sources even opposed the mandate of the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell report on Euro-Turkish relations. For these reasons, the Greek side insisted that trade should be included in the Borrell report, thus covering the “Customs Union” file.
The purely “transactional” relationship line
In this climate, the report Mr. Borel must prepare can move in shallow water. That may not be far from the line described by Turkish presidential spokesman and close adviser to Erdogan, Ibrahim Kalin, in a recent comment on an online discussion from the German Marshall Fund. This is the line of a purely “transactional” EU-Turkey relationship, which is already being articulated by senior EU officials who also insist on promoting a multilateral conference on the Eastern Mediterranean. It is clear that this line favors the larger Member States over the smaller ones. The period until the March Summit is not accidental, as there is time for coordination with the new US administration of Joe Biden.
Ashes in the eyes for the petition of Cyprus
Additional names and legal entities were approved for inclusion in the list of restrictive measures that was originally drafted in November 2019, a request from Nicosia last summer, but was later rejected. However, the effect of this measure on Turkey’s behavior is mainly symbolic and not substantial. This has been shown in similar sanctions against Russia.
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