21/06/2019 09:41
The 28 EU governments warn Turkey with "targeted meausures" for its illegal drilling activities in the Eastern Mediterranean, according to the final conclusions adopted this evening by the European Council in Brussels.
More specifically, "the European Council recalls and reaffirms previous Council and European Council conclusions, including the European Council conclusions of 22 March 2018 strongly condemning Turkey`s continued illegal actions in the Eastern Mediterranean and the Aegean Sea".
The European Council "expresses serious concerns over Turkey`s current illegal drilling activities in the Eastern Mediterranean and deplores that Turkey has not yet responded to the EU`s repeated calls to cease such activities".
The European Council "underlines the serious immediate negative impact that such illegal actions have across the range of EU-Turkey relations" and "calls on Turkey to show restraint, respect the sovereign rights of Cyprus and refrain from any such actions."
Finally the European Council "endorses the invitation to the Commission and the EEAS to submit options for appropriate measures without delay, including targeted measures" and warns that "the EU will continue to closely monitor developments and stands ready to respond appropriately and in full solidarity with Cyprus."
"The European Council will remain seized of the matter and will revert accordingly" the EU 28 conclude.