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October 14, 2019A "condemnation" ruling for Turkey's military operation in Syria and "commitment to strengthen national positions on arms export policy" to Ankara. These are the two main new features of the conclusions of the Luxembourg Foreign Affairs Council. The "condemnation" to the Ankara operation was not included in the first declaration at 28 of last week and instead appeared in the final text at the end of today's meeting, despite the opposition of Great Britain. While the issue of the moratorium on the sale of arms has not reached a unified position: there will therefore be no EU embargo, but each Member State will be able to decide how to proceed. Furthermore, sanctions against Ankara for the invasion of Syria will not be introduced, while a framework is in place that can lead to possible sanctions against Turkey for the story of Turkish drilling in the waters of Cyprus.

The European Union is the position of the 28, "condemns the military action of Turkey that seriously undermines the stability and security of the entire region, causing an increase in the suffering of civilians" and "seriously hindering access to assistance humanitarian ". The EU, the note continues, "remains committed to the unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Syrian state". "Turkey is a key partner of the European Union and a key player in the Syrian crisis and in the region - added foreign ministers - Turkey's security concerns in north-eastern Syria should be addressed by political and diplomatic means, not with military actions and in accordance with international humanitarian law ".

The EU also "recalls the decision taken by some Member States to immediately stop arms export licenses in Turkey. Member States" are committed to strengthening national positions on their arms export policy in Turkey "and the Council working group will meet later this week to coordinate and review Member States' positions on the subject.
Finally, the EU recalls "that it will not provide assistance for stabilization or development in areas where the rights of local populations are ignored or violated. The EU continues to work to effectively address the serious humanitarian and refugee crisis in light of the needs Evolving".

Sanctions for drilling in Cyprus
On the drilling of Turkey in Cyprus "the EU Council agrees that a framework regime of restrictive measures be instituted against the natural and legal persons responsible or involved in the illegal drilling activity in the eastern Mediterranean and invites the High Representative and the EU Commission to present his proposals quickly ". It reads in the conclusions of the EU Foreign Council.