France: European Council soon to discuss imposing sanctions on Turkey

"During the European Council session at the end of this month, the file in question will be the file of Turkey," said Jean-Yves Le Drian, while hosting France Inter on the radio.

He added: "We prepared this Turkish file several days ago with the foreign ministers in Berlin to enumerate the response tools that we can use towards Turkey."

And the French foreign minister added, "We say to Turkey .. from now until the European Council convenes, the ability to discuss the eastern Mediterranean must be demonstrated first," adding that "it is up to the Turks to discuss this issue ... it is possible!"

And he added, "At that time, we are entering an active phase about all the problems at hand."

Le Drian refused to specify the nature of these possible sanctions, and stressed that "there is a whole series of measures that can be taken ... We are not at all helpless and he knows this very well."

The French diplomat hinted at a set of economic sanctions, accusing Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of creating an "Islamic-national atmosphere" aimed at "concealing the reality of the economic situation in Turkey."

The European Council, which includes the heads of state and government of the European Union, will meet on September 24-25.

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ANHA