Several Heads of State or Government were of the opinion on Friday 11 December that after some difficult discussions, they had reached a “balanced” approach regarding Turkey, according to the President of the European Council.
The EU-27 agreed to impose further targeted sanctions against persons and/or entities who are responsible for illegal drilling in the Eastern Mediterranean and they have requested that additional options are prepared by March 2021 at the latest (see EUROPE 1262/2). At the same time, they noted their offer of a positive agenda with Ankara and stressed that the channels of communication were always open.
At the end of the summit, Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte acknowledged that the negotiations to find a “balanced solution” had been difficult. “We had to show Ankara we were unhappy with the sanctions regime”, while also leaving open the possibility of the positive agenda and channels of dialogue, he explained, adding that the EU was not working “in favour of escalating tensions”.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel, whose country was one of the most reluctant to sanction Turkey, also described the conclusions as “balanced”, while hoping that the message would now be received. She acknowledged that the German Presidency of the Council of the EU was disappointed that it had not been possible to have more positive relations with Turkey.
“Europe does, of course, always remain open to dialogue, but it will not accept a policy of destabilisation of its Member States or its regional environment”, warned the French President, Emmanuel Macron.
Calling Ankara’s “massive violations of international law” “unacceptable”, such as those of human rights on its own territory and the fact that it “endangers the sense of security and sovereignty of EU member states”, Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz said he was satisfied with the agreement over sanctions, although he also supported a call for an arms embargo, which was not accepted.
According to Merkel, the subject of weapons could be discussed again within NATO once the new US administration is in place. Washington was due to announce measures against Ankara on Friday 11 December, in retaliation for the purchase of a Russian defence system.
Beyond the decision over additional sanctions, which will be effective “in the coming weeks”, according to Mr Macron, “the rendez-vous clause allows for follow-ups and increasing pressure”, he stressed.
Turkey denounces sanctions against it
On 11 December, the Turkish Foreign Ministry denounced the decisions taken by the European Council. “We reject the biased and illegal approach that had to be taken (...), in particular over Cyprus, the Eastern Mediterranean, the Aegean Sea and regional issues”, it emphasised in a statement, saying we are “aware that the majority of the EU does not agree with these conclusions, which are adopted out of solidarity and veto pressure”. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant with editorial staff)