The EU Permanent Representatives (Coreper) are preparing a sanction regime against persons and organizations involved in Turkey’s unilateral actions in Varosia, according to statements by the EU High Representative, Josep Borrell, shortly after the end of the work of the EU Foreign Affairs Council in Brussels.

According to Mr. Borrell, today the Foreign Ministers discussed the “options paper” with sanctions against Turkey, analyzing the different approaches. This debate has led to a decision to start working on an EU sanctions regime against individuals and organizations directly involved in the illegal opening of Varosia. The COREPER should carefully evaluate the various proposals and, in particular, start working on them. Mr. Borrell refused to give a detailed timetable but said it was clear that the COREPER would start working on a specific sanctions regime.

The EU High Representative also stressed that the EU Foreign Affairs Council had discussed the implications of Turkey’s unilateral actions in Varosia, which violate UN Security Council resolutions. He even noted that during the discussion, the EU countries expressed their solidarity with Cyprus and their support for the effort to resume the negotiation process on the Cyprus issue under the auspices of the UN.

According to Josep Borrell, the Foreign Ministers agreed that any Russian attack on Ukraine would impose economic sanctions on Moscow.

“The EU stands united in favor of Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity,” Borrell said, noting that all Russian ministers were clear that any Russian attack on Ukraine would have political consequences with “high costs for Russia”.

He added that the EU was trying to avoid any military crisis, adding: “We are preparing for the worst, but we expect the best.”

Source: AMNA

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