France and Germany today accused Turkey of continuing to challenge the European Union with its actions in the Eastern Mediterranean and gave a week’s notice to clarify its positions.
“It is clear to us that Turkey is constantly taking provocative actions which are unacceptable,” French Minister of Foreign Affairs Jean-Yves Le Drian stated during a joint news conference with his German and Polish counterparts.
He added that the ball is in Ankara’s court, but the European Union is ready to change the balance of power if Turkey does not return to dialogue.
German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas said that Turkey’s decision to send a research vessel back to the Mediterranean was “unacceptable”.
Asked about the possibility of EU sanctions, Maas said that the European Union will wait a week to decide how to react.
“It is twice that there were no talks as it was initially expected and we do not know when they will take place,” he said. “We have to wait to see if there will be progress in a week’s time and then we will see what attitude the EU should adopt.”
Lendrian criticized Turkey for its role in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, in which Turkey supports Azerbaijan against the Armenian residents of the area.
“There will be no military victory in this matter, so the ceasefire must be implemented,” he said. “What we can see today is that the only country that does not call for a ceasefire is Turkey, and that is detrimental.”
Source: ANA-MPA
