EU threatens Turkey with sanctions for Mediterranean drilling

Berlin (dpa) – The European Union is considering new sanctions against Turkey because of its search for gas in the eastern Mediterranean Sea in a region disputed with Greece, EU foreign affairs chief Josep Borrell said on Friday.

Speaking after a two-day meeting of EU foreign ministers in Berlin, Borrell said that “in the absence of progress” in the matter, “we could develop a list of further restrictive measures.”

This would then be discussed during the next summit on September 24.

German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas said widening the scope of sanctions against Turkey would have to be discussed at the summit.

“The relationship between the European Union and Turkey is more than strained because of the events in the eastern Mediterranean,” Maas said.

But sanctions would not be issued until the September summit, he said. He expressed hope that the situation could be de-escalated until then.

“We want to give diplomacy a chance,” Mass said.

Tensions between Greece and Turkey have flared up over the past months, with Turkey continuing its hunt for gas in what Greece considers illegal drilling.

Turkey claims it is working in its own exclusive economic zone.

Concern is mounting that a military conflict could break out between NATO allies Greece and Turkey, as both have been carrying out manoeuvres in the region.

The EU has already sanctioned companies involved in the drilling and Turkey’s process to join the bloc’s ranks is effectively on ice.

By threatening Turkey with sanctions but delaying a political decision until at least the end of September, the foreign ministers are attempting to walk a fine line between appeasing Greece and Cyprus, which have been calling for sanctions, and not escalating the conflict further.

Greek Foreign Affairs Minister Nikos Dendias on Friday had reiterated his calls for EU members to agree on sanctions against Turkey for its drilling in the eastern Mediterranean, describing it as an “absolute necessity.”

Germany has been taking an active role in mediating the dispute. “This cannot leave us cold,” Merkel said of the row.

While Germany stands with the rest of the European Union behind member state Greece, Merkel told reporters in Berlin that it was important to ensure “that it doesn’t come to a further escalation.”

The German leader added that she has conducted “very intensive” discussions with French President Emmanuel Macron on the issue.