European leaders took note, in conclusions published on the night of Thursday 17 to Friday 18 October, of the US-Turkish announcement of a “halt to all military operations” in northeastern Syria.
Earlier today, US Vice-President Mike Pence announced a 120-hour break from military operations, during which the United States will facilitate the withdrawal from the safe zone of Kurdish YPG forces, who are allies of the United States but considered by Turkey to be terrorists. Once this operation is complete, a permanent ceasefire should be declared.
Taking up the conclusions of 14 October of their Foreign Ministers (see EUROPE 12348/1), the leaders in turn condemn Turkey’s “unilateral military action” in their conclusions. This action creates “unacceptable human suffering, undermines the fight against Daesh and poses a serious threat to European security”. Several hundred relatives of jihadists reportedly took advantage of the fighting to flee, the conclusions of the European Council report in particular.
The leaders therefore urge Ankara to stop its action, withdraw its troops and respect international humanitarian law.
The Twenty-Eight have also decided to end arms export licences to Turkey. However, Member States seem to be implementing this decision in different ways. France and the Netherlands would apply it to all licences, while the United Kingdom would like an exception for research and development. Spain and Germany intend to limit the export of weapons used in fighting in Syria. For their part, Hungary could decide on a case-by-case basis, and Bulgaria is reportedly opposed to this embargo.
In its conclusions, the European Council states that the EU remains committed to its efforts to respond effectively to the “serious humanitarian and refugee crisis”, taking into account evolving needs, in particular by supporting those Member States facing the most serious challenges over migration flows in the Eastern Mediterranean”.
While Austrian Chancellor Brigitte Bierlein, and President of the European Parliament David Sassoli, considered that the Turkish offensive proved that the EU should cancel EU accession negotiations with Ankara, the conclusions made no mention of the country's candidate status or its status as an ally.
Cyprus Another concern over Turkey is its illegal drilling activities in the exclusive economic zone of Cyprus.
In solidarity with Nicosia, the leaders, in their conclusions, reiterate the conclusions of the Foreign Ministers, which call for the implementation of a framework of restrictive measures against natural and legal persons responsible for, or involved in, illegal oil drilling in the Eastern Mediterranean (see EUROPE 12348/1).
See the conclusions regarding Turkey: http://bit.ly/2BmSfgM (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant with MB, SP and MF)