EU threatens Turkey with sanctions over drilling off Cyprus
8071 Min Read
The EU has threatened to impose sanctions on Turkey if it continues “illegal drilling” in waters near Cyprus in the eastern Mediterranean.
The warning came at an EU summit in Brussels. EU Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker called Turkey’s actions “totally unacceptable”.
The European Council called on Turkey to “show restraint, respect the sovereign rights of Cyprus and refrain from any such actions”. The EU had already reprimanded Turkey for its plans to drill in contested waters.
Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras Thursday called for the EU to deliver a “clear message” to Turkey and accused the country of breaking international law and violating European sovereignty.
Turkey launched a second drilling ship – the Yavuz – on Thursday for natural gas and oil prospecting off Cyprus.
Turkey and the internationally recognized government of Cyprus, which have no diplomatic relations with one another, both claim this area under the Mediterranean Sea.
Additionally, Turkey claims that other areas of Cyprus’ offshore maritime zone, considered an exclusive economic zone (EEZ), fall under the jurisdiction of Turkish Cypriots, who have their own state in the north of the island recognized only by Turkey.
