European Heads of State or Government decided, on the night of Thursday 10 to Friday 11 December, to take a tougher stance against Turkey, warning that the EU was “determined to defend its interests and those of its Member States and to preserve regional stability”.
Whereas in October (see EUROPE 12572/1), Europeans had played the diplomacy card by giving Turkey time to return to a more constructive attitude towards them, “Turkey has engaged in unilateral actions and provocations and escalated its rhetoric against the EU, EU Member States and European leaders”, the European Council denounces in its conclusions. “Turkish unilateral and provocative activities in the Eastern Mediterranean are still taking place, including the Cypriot EEZ”, it added, noting the withdrawal of the vessel Oruç Reis from Greek waters.
Taking baby steps
The European Council has therefore decided to react, albeit cautiously. Although many options were discussed, the leaders limited themselves to inviting the Council of the EU to complete the list of sanctioned persons and entities in connection with illegal Turkish drilling activities in the Eastern Mediterranean (see EUROPE 12367/8). Additional sanctions had been requested by Cyprus since last August (see EUROPE 12548/1).
The adoption of other measures will have to wait. The High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell, and the European Commission are invited to present a report on the state of play in the Eastern Mediterranean and on political, economic and trade relations between the EU and Turkey as well as on possible “instruments and options on how to proceed, including on the extension of the scope” of the decision on drilling. These proposals should be ready for examination by the European Council in March 2021 at the latest.
While hardening the tone, the European Council leaves the door open to Turkey, with whom the EU has a “strategic interest” in developing “a cooperative and mutually beneficial relationship”. “The European Council stresses the importance of keeping channels of communication between the EU and Turkey open.”
The leaders reiterate the offer of a positive agenda, “provided Turkey shows readiness to promote a genuine partnership with the Union and its Member States and to resolve differences through dialogue and in accordance with international law”.
Such an agenda could, in their view, cover the areas of economy and trade, people-to-people contacts, high-level dialogues and continued cooperation on migration issues. The EU will also be ready to continue to provide financial assistance to Syrian refugees and host communities in Turkey, underlining the European Council’s readiness to cooperate in the responsible management of migration flows to all Member States and to step up efforts to combat migrant smuggling networks.
The High Representative will also have to “take forward the proposal” for a multilateral conference on the Eastern Mediterranean.
Support for Greece and Cyprus
The European Council conclusions also stress the need for a “sustained deescalation” to allow the early resumption and smooth continuation of direct exploratory talks between Greece and Turkey.
Condemning Turkey’s unilateral measures in Varosha, the European Council also expresses its support for the early resumption of negotiations between the Cypriot communities, under the auspices of the United Nations, and announces that, upon the resumption of these talks, the EU will appoint a representative for the UN mission.
Finally, more surprisingly, European leaders warn that the Union will seek to coordinate with the United States on issues relating to Turkey and to the situation in the Eastern Mediterranean. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant with the editorial staff)