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The European Council (EVS) adopted sanctions in response to Turkey’s “unilateral actions and provocations”, French European Affairs Minister Clement Beaune wrote on Twitter, citing conclusions agreed by the leaders of the 27-member bloc.
A diplomat told AFP that the sanctions would be targeted at people and that further action could be taken “if Turkey continues to act.”
Athens is likely to be disappointed that leaders at the Brussels summit have refused to enforce an arms embargo or impose sanctions on entire sectors of the Turkish economy.
However, the conclusions issued by the EVS call for a list of targets for “restrictive measures”.
EU leaders have commissioned the head of community diplomacy, Josep Borrell, to draw up a report on further measures that could be taken to “broaden the scope”. It must be sent before March.
“The idea is to gradually increase the pressure,” said a diplomat.
“Turkey has taken unilateral actions and provocations and has intensified its rhetoric against the EU, EU member states and European leaders,” said community leaders.
“Turkey continues its unilateral and provocative activities in the eastern Mediterranean, including the exclusive economic zone of Cyprus,” they said.
On the eve of the summit, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan rejected the threat of sanctions.
“Turkey does not care about the decision on sanctions that the EU will take,” he said.
“The EU has never treated us fairly.” The EU has never kept any of the promises that have been made to us, but we have always been patient and remain patient, “he said.
Greece, backed by France, has demanded that the EU crack down on Turkey, which has repeatedly sent its seismic reconnaissance vessel to conduct gas exploration in the disputed waters.
Greek Prime Minister Kiriak Micotakis, who reached the summit, said “the credibility of the European Union” was at stake.
He noted that leaders agreed in October on the need to take some action on Turkey’s increasingly aggressive actions in the region.
“It is time to show whether we, Europe, are really credible in what we have agreed to,” said the prime minister.
Some members of the EU and NATO, including both Greece and Turkey, have taken a more cautious stance.
Germany has called for a diplomatic solution to the dispute and NATO has established a military hotline to help prevent accidental clashes in the eastern Mediterranean.
Complicated relationships
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg tried to ease tensions ahead of the EU summit.
He noted that Turkey has accepted around 4 million. more refugees than any other NATO ally, and the country has been hit by terrorist attacks.
“There are differences of opinion, disagreements, we have to resolve them,” Stoltenberg said.
“At the same time, we must be sure that we are aware of the importance of Turkey as a member of NATO, as well as a member of the Western family,” he said.
Turkey’s relations with its Western allies have deteriorated dramatically in recent months.
The United States was deeply angered by Ankara’s decision to acquire Russian S-400 missile defense systems. According to Washington, the S-400 could pose a threat to aircraft with radar difficulties and that these missiles are incompatible with NATO systems.
Turkey is also accused of violating the United Nations arms embargo on Libya.
Furthermore, Turkish support has led Azerbaijan to resume a long-standing conflict with Armenia.
French President Emmanuel Macron, who is involved in a fierce war of words with RT Erdogan, has called on the EU to show solidarity with Greece.
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