Categories: World

Turkey warned of sanctions over 'provocations' in Mediterranean

<p id="content">The European Union (EU) has said it could impose sanctions on Turkey over "provocations and pressures" in a row with Greece over energy resources and maritime borders.</p>
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen called on Ankara to "abstain from unilateral actions" in the eastern Mediterranean. She spoke early on Friday during a meeting of EU leaders in Brussels, the BBC reported.

Earlier, Turkey and Greece set up a military hotline to try to reduce the risk of clashes in the region.

Tensions rose earlier this year when Turkey sent a ship into a disputed area to search for potentially rich oil and gas deposits.

Von der Leyen told reporters that the EU wanted "a positive and constructive relationship with Turkey and this would also be very much in Ankara's interest".

"But it will only work if the provocations and pressures stop," she said. "We, therefore, expect that Turkey from now on abstains from unilateral actions. In case of such renewed actions by Ankara the EU will use all its instruments and options available. We have a toolbox that we can apply immediately."

After their late-night meeting, EU members agreed to review Turkey's behavior in December and impose sanctions if "provocations" had not stopped.

Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz, posting on Twitter after the meeting, said: "The EU issues a clear threat of sanctions against Turkey should it continue to violate international law."

European Council President Charles Michel said the EU was offering Turkey closer relations on trade and other areas but holding out the threat of sanctions if tensions in the Mediterranean did not de-escalate.

The European Union and Turkey have long held a fragile relationship.

Turkey has been a long-term candidate for membership of the EU but efforts have stalled. EU leaders have criticised Turkey's record on human rights and the rule of law, in particular in the wake of the 2016 failed military coup.

Despite the strains, Turkey remains an important partner for the EU. Turkey hosts millions of migrants and struck a deal with the EU that limited the numbers arriving in Greece.

Greece and Turkey are both Nato members, but have a history of border disputes and competing claims over maritime rights.

Tensions flared in August when Ankara sent the research ship into an area south of the Greek island of Kastellorizo which is claimed by Greece, Turkey and Cyprus..

AddThis Website Tools
IANS

Recent Posts

Russian President Putin to visit India following PM Modi’s invitation during bilateral talksRussian President Putin to visit India following PM Modi’s invitation during bilateral talks

Russian President Putin to visit India following PM Modi’s invitation during bilateral talks

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi held telephone talks. This was…

16 minutes ago
Mahrang Baloch leads resistance voice against atrocities in BalochistanMahrang Baloch leads resistance voice against atrocities in Balochistan

Mahrang Baloch leads resistance voice against atrocities in Balochistan

The Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) re-shared a previously delivered powerful and emotional speech by Mahrang…

43 minutes ago
Severe water crisis hits Karachi, residents complain no water for 12 daysSevere water crisis hits Karachi, residents complain no water for 12 days

Severe water crisis hits Karachi, residents complain no water for 12 days

Residents in several localities in Karachi continue to suffer a severe water crisis amid sweltering…

49 minutes ago

Our fight is against terrorists, not with Pakistan Military: Air Marshal Bharti on Operation Sindoor

Air Marshal AK Bharti stated on Monday that the purpose of Operation Sindoor was to…

3 hours ago

“There was no chance Pakistan could’ve broken our multi-layered defence system,” DGMO Lt Gen Rajiv Ghai

Director General Military Operations (DGMO) Lieutenant General Rajiv Ghai on Monday lauded India's multi-layered air…

3 hours ago

“Whatever loss they suffered, it was their own responsibility”: Air Marshal Bharti details response to Pak aggression

Director General Air Operations Air Marshal AK Bharti on Monday detailed the success of the…

3 hours ago