France, which is experiencing a deterioration in its relationship with Turkey over the Libyan file, asked the European Union on Wednesday to have a broad and unlimited discussion on its relationship with Turkey.
French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian announced before the Senate that France considered it necessary for the European Union to open a very rapid "depth discussion on the prospects for the future relationship between the European Union and Ankara", calling on the countries of the Union to firmly defend their interests.
Ludryan condemned the strengthening of Turkey's weight in Libya, saying that "this actually increases the Russians' role" alongside Haftar and complicates every possibility to stop the fighting.
And criticized the agreement concluded between Ankara and the reconciliation government on gas, which threatens, according to Paris, the interests of "our allies and members of the European Union ... Cyprus and Greece."
Relationships decline
Relations between the two NATO allies have worsened in the past few weeks, and France has criticized Turkey's military support for the internationally recognized national reconciliation government in Libya.
The Turkish operations to explore for oil in the eastern Mediterranean also constituted a point of contention, in addition to the Turkish role in the Syrian crisis.
French President Emmanuel Macron accused Turkey on Monday of playing a "dangerous game" in Libya, and Turkey responded on Tuesday, saying Macron had suffered an "eclipse of mind" for opposing Ankara's support for the Tripoli government.
Paris accused the Turkish navy of "very hostile" behavior towards an average French frigate in early June.
France accuses Turkey of arming the forces of the Libyan National Accord government recognized by the United Nations, and of sending thousands of militants from Syria to Libya.
Thanks to this military support, the Al-Wefaq government regained control of western Libya entirely by forcing retired Major General Khalifa Haftar's forces to retreat, and in return Ankara accused Paris of supporting Haftar.
In January 2018, in a context that was still quieter, Macron raised the issue of excluding Turkey's membership in the European Union and proposed a "partnership" instead.