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Of: TT
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February 1 | Photo: Magnus Andersson / TT
Swedish Foreign Minister Ann Linde (S). Stock Photography.
The EU is considering new sanctions against Turkey due to the energy conflict in the eastern Mediterranean, says the Union’s Foreign Minister Josep Borrell.
Swedish Foreign Minister Ann Linde (S) calls Turkey’s test pits outside of Cyprus “contrary to international law”.
Borrell affirms that the sanctions can be directed to people, boats or the use of ports in Europe and that the EU focuses them on “activities that we consider illegal”.
In the eastern Mediterranean, a race is underway to access newly discovered gas fields. Rival territorial claims between Greece, Cyprus and Turkey have become intertwined with old and new conflicts, creating a geopolitical front line, which risks creating even more regional headaches.
In early August, Turkey sent a reconnaissance ship to the disputed area.
Mediation offered
The EU, which has previously punished Turkey with sanctions for drilling outside of Cyprus, expresses its solidarity with the governments of Athens and Nicosia and the German Presidency has offered to mediate.
Unless Ankara becomes more cooperative, the EU will discuss the new sanctions at a meeting in Brussels on September 24, Borrell said.
EU foreign ministers held an informal meeting in Berlin on Thursday and Friday to discuss, among other things, the conflict in the Mediterranean. Foreign Minister Ann Linde told TT that Turkey’s test drilling outside of Cyprus is “contrary to international law.”
– The EU has already decided on a sanctions list against Turkey. In our discussions we said that we will continue talking, but that we are prepared to expand that list, says the Chancellor.
– It was repeated many times that this is a delicate line between dialogue and sharp action against Turkey. We are fully prepared for the fact that no matter what the EU does, it will have consequences on the relationship between Turkey and the EU.
“Be consistent”
Both Greece and Turkey are members of NATO. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan spoke by phone with NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg on Friday, according to Turkey’s state-run Anatolia news agency.
French President Emmanuel Macron, who has taken a hard line against Ankara, says Turkey’s attitude in recent years is not similar to that of an ally.
Macron also claims to have drawn a line in the sand and has clarified to Ankara what that means.
– When it comes to sovereignty in the Mediterranean, I must be consistent in both actions and words.
“Honest mediator”
In Athens, the events of Friday are received positively.
– I hope that Turkey will regain control, stop provocations, stop arbitrary measures and stop violating international law, says Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias.
In Ankara, on the other hand, the mines are even more acidic. Turkey has tried dialogue and diplomacy and the sanctions will only make the country more determined, according to Foreign Ministry spokesman Hami Aksoy.
“If the EU wants to reach a solution to the situation in the eastern Mediterranean, it must act without prejudice and be an honest mediator,” he said in a statement.
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