EU Imposed Additional Sanctions against Turkey

The sanctions were adopted against individuals and companies involved in the development of gas fields in disputed territories in the Mediterranean Sea. At the summit in Brussels the heads European Union’s state and government decided to impose additional sanctions against Turkey. The corresponding document was published on Friday, December 11. Istanbul is conducting exploration work to find gas deposits in the disputed territories of the Eastern Mediterranean. Greece has declared this work illegal. The summit participants instructed the EU Council to impose penalties on individuals and companies involved in work in the Mediterranean. In addition, Josep Borrell, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, has been instructed to present options for further measures against Turkey by March 2021. This implies another expansion of sanctions against Istanbul. Conflict between Athens and Ankara escalated in July The conflict between Greece and Turkey in the Eastern Mediterranean escalated sharply in July. Both states have declared their claims on the territory with possible oil and gas fields. The European Union called on Turkey to stop geological exploration drilling in the disputed areas and threatened with sanctions. However, Ankara refused to make concessions.