EU warns the Turkish regime of strict sanctions over its continued violations in the eastern Mediterranean

BRUSSELS, (ST)- European Union High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell has warned the Turkish regime that severer sanctions may be imposed on it over its continuous violations in the Eastern Mediterranean, pointing out that the EU leaders will discuss this issue during their meeting on the 10th and 11th of next December.

According to the American Bloomberg Agency, Borrell told the European Parliament on Wednesday that “we are certainly at a critical moment regarding our relationship with Turkey … the leaders will have to make a decision on whether to impose more sanctions or not.”

“Creating a safe and stable environment in the eastern Mediterranean and enhancing relations among all actors in the region is a necessity for the strategic interest of the European Union,” he said.

 Last February, the European Union imposed sanctions on the Turkish regime, which included an asset freeze and a travel ban against two employees in the Turkish Petroleum Company (TPAO), in response to the Turkish regime’s illegal exploration for natural gas off the coast of Cyprus.

Hamda Mustafa