European Union | The countries seeking sanctions – “Turkey did not respond to the positive invitation of the 27”

Foreign Ministers conclude that Turkey did not understand the positive message of the EU from the October Council and that there should be a reaction towards it, which will be discussed at the European Council, said the Greek Minister of Foreign Affairs Nikos Dendias.

Specifically, Mr. Dendias stated after the end of the debate on Turkey that “in the Council today there was an extensive discussion on Turkish provocative behaviour and it was noted by all Foreign Ministers that Turkey did not understand the positive message of the EU from the October Council. On the contrary, Turkey continued this behaviour and even under a context that is completely unacceptable, that is, the threat of war against Greece if it extends its territorial waters to 12 miles.

“I note that UNCLOS, the convention for the extension of territorial waters to 12 miles, is part of European law, it has been ratified by the EU itself, so Turkey’s stance is a challenge to the Union as a whole. It has become clear that there should be a reaction against Turkey and that is what will be discussed in the Council of Leaders this week,” he said.

Also read: Sanctions against Turkey for S-400s in final US defence budget bill

The Foreign Affairs Council will be briefed on the latest developments ahead of the European Council on December 10-11, which will return to the situation in the Eastern Mediterranean and the relations with Turkey, according to the conclusions of the October 2020 European Council. Ministers will be informed but will not make any decisions and are not expected to issue conclusions on the matter. Any decisions are referred to the Heads of State and Government.

Earlier, a Community official in charge of briefing the press on the forthcoming meeting said that a preliminary discussion would be held for Turkey on how the Member States view the situation. He said: “It is obvious that since October and the offer of a positive agenda, Turkey’s behaviour is not in line with the conditions for its activation.” 

“The High Representative will make a record on Monday, in the framework of the conclusions of the October Council so the 27 will consider what needs to be done, or whether the Foreign Ministers will exchange views,” he said, adding that the High Representative had been preparing for a long time and it was up to the leaders to decide. 

The EU official noted that all member states accept the record that the situation has not improved since October, as “Turkey did not respond to the positive invitation of the 27.” The options, he said, are many and “we will see what the leaders decide.”

He pointed out that Turkey is an important partner, “we always call on it to take positive steps in the Eastern Mediterranean, Cyprus, Syria, Libya, Nagorno-Karabakh. This change has not come, Turkey has not changed policy, this is the truth,” he said.

Also read: The Greek Foreign Ministry refutes Turkish reports about Dendias’ reference to Cyprus’ NATO membership

The EU official, however, acknowledged as positive the withdrawal of Oruc Reis and the investigative contacts for a future conference to resolve the Cyprus issue, but pointed out that will depend on the leaders. He said that they are signs and will be read in the wider context.

Regarding Greece’s aspirations, the diplomatic source stated that contacts are being made at the level of capitals and teleconferences with President Michel. “What is certain is that any discussion of a positive agenda with Turkey is ‘out of place and out of time’,” he said. “We are interested in a good relationship, provided that Turkey behaves in accordance with that relationship,” he said, noting that the EU offer remains on the table, but under certain conditions. 

He stated that regarding the delimitation of the maritime zones, the Greek position is based on international law and the Hague, the UNCLOS convention. He also spoke of a “numb climate” after the visit of the representative of the Turkish presidency, Ibrahim Kalin, to Brussels and the incidents with the ship inspection, the statements and the actions.

“There is no doubt that some will say that Oruc Reis has withdrawn, no new Navtex has been released,” he said, adding that “the Cypriot side will say that there are two drills left in the Cypriot EEZ.” 

He considered it possible to satisfy a Cypriot request for additional registrations, as well as a sanctions regime similar to Cyprus and Greece, but a way is sought, because there are no drillings in Greece. He estimates that one step further could be to instruct Borrell to prepare the options (and sanctions) in writing as he has so far had an oral mandate from Gymnich in Berlin. 

Also read: Stoltenberg | It is important to find positive steps in the right direction when there are differences between allies

The diplomatic source stressed that “sanctions for us are not an end in themselves. It is not a strategic goal to punish Turkey, but to work together. I guess the issue of the arms embargo will also be raised. What do we do when an EU country sells arms to a threatening state?” he asked.

However, the EU official had previously made it clear that there was no Greek or other request for a new embargo at EU level, there was a Greek request to specific Member States. The EU has implemented an intergovernmental arms embargo on Turkey on November 19, 2019, on the occasion of the intervention in Syria.

The Greek diplomatic source estimates that the suspension of the customs union could potentially be one of the options proposed by Borrell – something the community services and legal circles of the Commission and the Member States reject.

The Greek diplomatic source claimed that Italy, Spain, Germany, Malta did not want sanctions, Portugal had not yet commented on the matter, while on the other hand, France, Austria, Luxembourg, Slovenia and Slovakia are in favor of a tough response, while Belgium and Ireland believe that Turkey’s behavior is intolerable. Finally, he noted that Denmark, Estonia, Sweden and the Baltic states are indifferent to the issue.

Cavusoglu: “Greece is the cause of the problem in the Eastern Mediterranean”

“Greece is the cause of the problem in the Eastern Mediterranean,” supported by the Turkish Foreign Minister, Mevlut Cavusoglu, and said that the conference proposed by Turkey in the Eastern Mediterranean suggests the involvement not only of the Eastern Mediterranean countries, but also the countries which have companies in the Eastern Mediterranean. 

Speaking at the Eastern Mediterranean workshop organized by the International University Council and the Mediterranean University, the Turkish Foreign Minister said that all of Turkey’s calls were for a fair distribution of wealth in the Eastern Mediterranean and for ensuring peace, stability and prosperity in the region. He argued that despite Turkey’s calls, unilateral work continued. “In 2011 we signed an agreement with the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, then we continued our own activities. As soon as we started drilling in the areas that were licensed to us by the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus – pseudostate – and in 2018 with our own drill, the world broke down. They created the impression that ‘Turkey brought its ships in one day and the problem started’. In reality, however, this is not the case. What is the cause of this problem? Greece,” said Mevlut Cavusoglu.

According to the Turkish Minister, Greece’s claims for the continental shelf are contrary to international law. “Greece wants a continental shelf of 40 thousand km for an island of 10 sq. km, Kastelorizo, which is located right opposite Kas. Which international law provides for this? When we say this to the Greeks, they say ‘let’s start somewhere and then we are in the middle’. Where will you find yourself after such a maximalist step? As our President has said, one must see that the maps and the works that are trying to imprison Turkey in the Gulf of Antalya are of no use,” he said.

The Turkish Minister said that “although we have changed the balances in Cyprus, in the issue of Azerbaijan and in Libya, we invite to find a solution together. If there is wealth, we shall share it. To solve the problems through diplomacy, with political methods.” He claimed that this was the reason why the Turkish President proposed to the EU to hold a joint conference. “We proposed the participation not only of the countries of the eastern Mediterranean, not only of the countries with coastlines around the entire Mediterranean, but also of the countries that have companies in this region. We are now working with the EU on this process. After all, we know how to walk in every street, we are strong both in the field of action and at the table. And saying that we are very strong in the field of action and at the table in both Libya and the eastern Mediterranean does not imply we want it all. We have no aspirations in the territories of Armenia. It will also benefit the people of Armenia. Therefore, we are in favor of a fair distribution,” the Turkish Minister claimed.

Also read: Commission | “The EU timeline for Turkey is clear”