LAST UPDATE: 20:55
As reported by European sources, the order of discussion at the summit has changed and the debate on Turkey and the Eastern Mediterranean is ongoing.
Earlier, a number of EU officials and member state leaders expressed solidarity with Greece and Cyprus on Thursday, as they convened in Brussels for the Special European Council that will discuss, among other issues, the union’s relationship with Turkey.
French President Emmanuel Macron expressed his support to Greece and Cyprus at doorstep statements.”I want to be clear: solidarity with Cyprus and Greece is non-negotiable,” he said, further adding that when an EU state is attacked or threatened and its sovereign rights not respected, “it is the duty of Europeans to show solidarity.” He said France would reiterate its support to Greece and Cyprus and find a way to talk with Turkey.
European Council President Charles Michel also expressed, on his part, the “full solidarity with Greece and Cyprus” and said it was important for the EU to commit to protecting their sovereign rights. “We want more predictability, more stability in the Eastern Mediterranean,” he added.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen added her full support for Greece and Cyprus in a doorstep statement, saying that the EU desires a constructive relationship with Turkey but also has a “toolbox” at its disposal for either outcome.
“We will discuss Turkey. I am certain that the European Council will reaffirm full solidarity with Greece and Cyprus. Where the EU’s relationship with Turkey is concerned there are two possibilities, either the tensions [will continue] rising – that is something that we don’t want – or there is de-escalation and we are moving towards a constructive relationship. This is what we do want but, either way, there is a toolbox at the disposal of the EU. We want de-escalation, we want a positive agenda and we will discuss this together today,” she said.
Turkish aggression, whether expressed through unilateral actions or extreme rhetoric, can no longer be tolerated, Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said on Thursday in doorstep statements before the Special European Council.
“The time has come for Europe to discuss bravely and sincerely what kind of relationship it really wants to have with Turkey,” Mitsotakis said.
While Turkish aggression violates the sovereign rights of two EU member states – Greece and Cyprus – it also “touches on the significant geopolitical interests of all Europe in the Mediterranean,” he said.
There are only two choices, the PM noted, either the path of dialogue in diplomacy, which must be based on respect of international law, avoidance of unilateral actions and good neighborhood rules, or the path of escalating tension, which sooner or later will inevitably lead to Europe taking measures against Turkey.
Greece has “proven it wants to follow the first path. It’s up to Turkey to do the same, but it must do so with consistency and constancy,” Mitsotakis stressed.
It is reminded that EU leaders are discussing Turkish aggression as well as the falsified results of the presidential election in Belarus at today’s and tomorrow’s summit.
Turkey’s drilling activities near Cyprus and Greece will be in the spotlight, with Nicosia calling for sanctions against Turkey, setting this decision as a condition in order to give its approval to impose economic sanctions on Belarus.
EU-China relations, the case of Alexei Navalny, Belarus, the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and Brexit will also be discussed.
