[ad_1]
European Council President Charles Michel says the European Union “reached out to Turkey, but saw nothing but unilateral actions and hostile rhetoric,” stating the Union’s readiness to impose sanctions on Turkey because it did not “reduce the escalation of its crisis with Greece “.
-
European officials confirmed that decisions on Turkey’s behavior will be made during the European summit
Today Friday, the president of the European Council, Charles Michel, announced that the countries of the European Union are ready to impose sanctions on Turkey due to its “unilateral actions and hostile rhetoric.”
At a press conference, Michel indicated that Ankara had not lessened its crisis with Greece in response to diplomatic communication, saying: “I think the cat and mouse game must end”, referring to the frequent entry of Turkish ships to explore for gas in Greek waters.
Turkey’s deployment of a ship to explore for gas in waters claimed by Greece sparked a discussion between Ankara and the European Union, which this month extended sanctions against Turkey for another year.
Michel added: “We extended our hand to Turkey in October and our assessment was negative with the continuation of unilateral actions and hostile rhetoric”, explaining that “we will have a discussion during the European summit on December 10 and we are ready to use the available means. “.
The president of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, warned during a European summit in October that “if Ankara continues with its illegal actions, we will use all the means at our disposal,” noting that the commission has a mandate to develop economic sanctions that are “ready for immediate use”.
The imposition of sanctions on Turkey requires the consensus of all the member states of the European Union. However, Germany has so far blocked the adoption of the sanctions, hoping to reach an agreement “to develop a truly constructive relationship with Turkey.”
Several European officials confirmed that “decisions will be made during the European summit, but its size has not yet been determined.” One minister said: “You have to see what positions Germany and Poland will take.”
Members of the European Parliament voted a few days ago on the draft resolution “condemning Turkey”. The draft resolution calls for sanctions against Turkey without delay in response to what MPs described as its “attempts to impose a fait accompli on Cyprus and its territorial waters”, as well as its “actions in the eastern Mediterranean and its disagreement with Greece and finally with Germany and France as well. “
French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said “the European Union will verify Turkey’s position on various issues” before the European Council meeting, which will address the issue of sanctions against Ankara.
On the other hand, German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas did not rule out that the leaders of the European Union countries, at the December summit, discussed the imposition of sanctions against Ankara for its actions in the eastern Mediterranean.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan called on the European Union to “dialogue”, warning the bloc not to become a “tool” against his country, given the high tension around the rights to explore energy resources in the Eastern Mediterranean.
The European Union foreign policy official, Josep Borrell, for his part, warned of the deterioration of relations with Ankara and said that “time is running out and we are approaching a decisive moment in our relationship with Turkey.”
[ad_2]
