The President of the European Council, Charles Michel, warned Turkey on Friday 4 December of the possible imposition of sanctions against it because of its behaviour in the Eastern Mediterranean.
The situation could be addressed, in a short time, by Foreign Ministers on Monday 7 December (see separate news item), and will be further discussed by EU leaders “to consider the next steps” on 10-11 December.
“We hope for a more stable and predictable relationship with Turkey, but we are ready to use the means at our disposal if there are no significant positive developments”, Michel said at a press conference. And while Greece wants an arms embargo on Turkey, there is no discussion on this issue at the European level, according to a senior official.
While in October the EU had “extended a hand” to Ankara on condition that it would stop unilateral provocations and non-compliance with the principles of international law, Mr Michel felt that the record was not satisfactory. “Since October, the assessment has not been positive, we have seen unilateral acts and hostile rhetoric”, he said.
According to a European source, discussions between European leaders should assess the situation and collectively decide on the consequences. “We need clarification and concrete and sustainable action” from Turkey, the source said.
“The situation has not shown clear improvement and Member States will have to decide on the consequences”, added a senior EU official, explaining that so far he had not heard any Member State question that the situation had worsened. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant with Lionel Changeur)