EU to use carrot and stick policy to dissuade Turkey from carrying on its illegal drilling activities in the eastern Mediterranean

AMSTERDAM, (ST)_The European Union has renewed its threat to impose sanctions on Turkey because it continues its illegal drilling activities in the eastern Mediterranean.

 

European Commission spokesman Peter Stano said: ” “The ministers were very determined to show solidarity with its two affected member states  Cyprus and Greece and they were very clear on their call to the Turkish authorities to end any unilateral activities which are escalating tension in the Mediterranean.”

 

He added if dialogue proved to be impossible , and if there was no de-escalation, then appropriate measures would be taken.

 

The EU will use the carrot and stick policy to try and dissuade Turkey from carrying on its illegal drilling activities in the eastern Mediterranean, it said on Monday, only days after announcing that sanctions were being prepared in the event Ankara continued its activities in the region.

 

“As well as sticks (sanctions), there will be carrots too to get Ankara to engage seriously in dialogue. These carrots could be progress on a new customs union and more money for the refugee programme,” a European Commission spokesman told Reuters on condition of anonymity.

 

Basma Qaddour