Tensions in the Mediterranean: MEPs ready to further sanction Turkey
Josep Borrell, the head of European diplomacy, in Brussels, September 15, 2020. REUTERS / Yves Herman
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MEPs, meeting in plenary session in Brussels, debated on the morning of September 15 the tensions in the Eastern Mediterranean following the increase in Turkish gas exploration activities within the Greek and Cypriot exclusive economic zone and the role of Turkey .
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From our correspondent in Brussels
,
Joana Hostein
Supporting Greece and Cyprus against
Turkish threats
must be the priority of the 27 during the Council devoted to Turkey at the end of September.
During the debate on the morning of September 15, several deputies called for considering additional measures against the Turkish authorities.
This is the case of the chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee, the German David McAllister.
“
We condemn Turkish drilling activities in the Greek and Cypriot Exclusive Economic Zone
,” he said
.
The option of additional sanctions against Turkey must be openly discussed
”.
Turkey "
plays cat and mouse
" with Europe
Some, like the head of European diplomacy Josep Borrell, welcomed the return to port of the Turkish ship Oruç Reis, which has been at the heart of tensions with Greece for weeks.
But the French deputy, of Greek origin, Chrysoula Zacharopoulou wants to be much more careful.
"
For too long, the Turkish president has been playing with cat and mouse Europe, Syria, Libya, illegal drilling,
" she said.
We must put an end to the ambiguity.
Some say that the day before yesterday he withdrew his ship Oruç Reis from Greek waters.
Can we trust?
"
And to put an end to the ambiguity, the Greek MEPs call for definitively stopping the process of Turkey's accession to the European Union.
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