European Union leaders threaten Turkey with firm sanctions

The European summit set for December to review the strategy for dialogue and firmness with Ankara. The leaders of the Union also stressed, after intense discussions, that Ankara should withdraw its ships from the waters of Cyprus, just as it withdrew from the waters of Greece, and if it did not, the sanctions option would be the only one available.

In turn, the President of the European Council, Charles Michel, affirmed that "the dialogue with Turkey is conditional on stopping unilateral actions."

He also explained that "the European summit set a horizon for December to review various approaches regarding Turkey." He continued: "We support the approach of dialogue within the scope of absolute respect for European principles and values," pointing out: "We have agreed on a strategy of duality of dialogue and firmness."

In addition, he added, "We support the resumption of the path to resolving the divided Cyprus crisis under the supervision of the United Nations."

For her part, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said that the European Union may impose sanctions on Ankara if Turkish "provocations and pressure" continue in the eastern Mediterranean.

She added in a press conference: "We want a positive and constructive relationship with Turkey, and this will also be in Ankara's best interest."

She added, "But (this relationship) will not succeed unless the provocations and pressure stop, so we expect Turkey to refrain from now on from unilateral measures.

 (A)

ANHA