Recalling their solidarity with Greece and Cyprus, MEPs on Tuesday 15 September called for an easing of tensions in the eastern Mediterranean and for dialogue. They also stressed the need to review relations with Ankara, even if it means drawing a line under the EU accession process.
Concerned about a real risk of military confrontation, the Chair of the European Parliament Committee on Foreign Affairs, German David McAllister (EPP), on behalf of the EPP, said that “concrete steps to create an environment conducive to dialogue and good faith are necessary”.
His fellow MEP Sergey Ladoginski (Greens/EFA) recalled that the conflict could not be resolved by unilateral or bilateral escalation and by mutual accusations or nationalist rhetoric on either side. “The escalation must stop and return to previous status and negotiations”, he insisted.
Firmness by parliamentarians
In the face of Turkey’s “insolent and contemptuous” attitude towards the EU “while it wants to join”, according to Nacho Sánchez Amor (S&D), MEPs expressed real firmness in the debate, calling on the EU to do the same. “The EU must avoid conflict by being constructive but firm”, summarised Malik Azmani (the Netherlands) for the Renew Europe group.
Such firmness would include sanctions. For Emmanouíl Frágkos (ECR, Greece), the EU must “respond vehemently”. “What we are asking for: heavy economic sanctions so that Erdogan’s economy suffers the consequences, that is the only way Turkey will understand”, he explained. Germany’s Martin Schirdewan (GUE/NGL) called for an embargo on European arms to Turkey, which according to the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell, is a matter for Member States.
Mr Borrell also explained that a political agreement had been reached on how to deal with Turkey between European foreign ministers at the end of August at the meeting in Gymnich (see EUROPE 12548/1). “The time has come to turn this political agreement into a formal decision, and the Council’s working groups are working on this”, he said. He also explained that there was not yet the unanimity within the EU Council necessary to adopt sanctions, comparing this with the adoption of measures against Belarus (see other news), as agreed in Gymnich.
Several MEPs from different political parties also questioned Turkey’s status as an EU candidate country. “It is difficult to consider Turkey as a candidate country. We must renew our relations with it”, Mr Azmani said. For his part, Jérôme Rivière (France), on behalf of ID, went further, calling for an end to the Customs Union and the accession process.
“I understand that Turkey’s accession is stirring passions, the relationship is at a crossroads. Leaders will have to make tough decisions”, Mr Borrell told them. According to German State Secretary Michael Roth, on behalf of the EU Council, the heads of state or government will have to send a signal of full solidarity to Greece and Cyprus and discuss what should be done if Turkey “is not living up to its responsibilities”.
Mr Michel advocates a two-pronged approach
Since Athens, the President of the European Council, Charles Michel, has advocated a two-pronged approach: to be firm in upholding principles that are essential for the EU and its Member States, but also to be ready to “open our arms to show that a positive agenda is possible, if there is a common will to respect” these principles .
Mr Michel considered that it was in the EU’s strategic interest to ensure calm and greater stability and security in the Mediterranean. “We will also debate the idea of a multilateral conference, to bring different countries around the table” to discuss not only maritime delimitations, but also energy issues, security, economic cooperation, etc., “if there is a sincere willingness to move forward on a more positive and predictable agenda than has been seen so far”. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)