EU intends to impose sanctions on Turks involved in exploring eastern Mediterranean gas

The EU plans to impose sanctions on two Turkish citizens involved in Turkey's gas exploration operations in the waters of the eastern Mediterranean, including the ban on entry into the EU countries and freeze any assets they have there.

5 February, 2020 16:20

News desk-

A number of diplomats in Brussels told AFP on Wednesday that an agreement had been reached between EU members to start imposing sanctions. Lawyers are reviewing the decision on Thursday.

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's government has intensified tensions by signing a memorandum with Libya that would enable Turkey to expand its territorial waters in the Mediterranean, but Greece has rejected that.

France pledged to strengthen its naval presence in the region, at a time, Turkey sent troops to support the UN-recognized government in Libya, despite the embargo on the weapons to the African country.

In July last year, EU foreign ministers decided to suspend an assigned funding for Turkey and stop negotiations on an air transport agreement.

When the new sanctions are confirmed, it will be the first time that Turkish citizens are targeted due to with gas exploration.

A.J

ANHA