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The leaders of the European Union, meeting in Brussels for two days, addressed a strong message to Turkey and this coupled with the threat of sanctions if it does not stop illegal drilling in the territorial waters of Cyprus.
The European summit next December decided to study the strategy of dialogue and stability with Ankara. EU leaders also stressed, after intense discussions, that Ankara should withdraw its ships from the waters of Cyprus, just as it withdraws from the waters of Greece, and if not, the possibility of imposing sanctions is the only one.
European Council President Charles Michel told a press conference held after the first day of the summit, which lasted until midnight on Thursday / Friday, that “dialogue with Turkey is conditional on stopping unilateral action.”
He explained that “the European summit set a horizon for the month of December to discuss various approaches related to Turkey.” She continued: “We support the approach of dialogue within the framework of absolute respect for European principles and values,” and noted: “We agreed on a bilateral strategy of dialogue and affirmation.”
He added: “We support the renewal of the path to resolve the divided crisis in Cyprus under the auspices of the United Nations.”
Provocations and pressures
For her part, the president of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, said: “The European Union may impose sanctions on Ankara if Turkey continues to” provoke and pressure “in the eastern Mediterranean.
He added at a press conference: “We want a positive and constructive relationship with Turkey, and it will also be in the interest of Ankara.”
He added: “But (this relationship) will not be successful unless the provocations and pressure are stopped, so we hope that Turkey will refrain from taking unilateral measures from now on.
Turkish research vessel Uruk Reise
Ankara and Nagorno-Karabakh
For his part, French President Emmanuel Macron declared his condemnation of mercenary intervention in a conflict in the Nagorno Karabakh region, that he would contact his Turkish counterpart, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, to ask for “explanations”, and asked the NATO to deal with the actions of Ankara, its ally.
As he said during the European Union summit in Brussels: “A red line has been crossed. I say this is unacceptable and ask all NATO partners to address the behavior of a member state of the alliance.
It is noteworthy that clashes broke out inside Nagorno Karabakh since last Sunday, adding to the package of differences between Ankara and the European Union, from an investigation in the Mediterranean to the issue of Libyans, migrants and others.
The conflict between Turkey and several European countries has escalated dramatically since August 10, after Ankara sent the search ship Uruk Reyes to the eastern Mediterranean.
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