European Parliament warns Turkey of sanctions, Turkey says it is ‘biased, unfair’

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Calling on Turkey to engage in dialogue with Greece and Cyprus amid escalating tensions in the Eastern Mediterranean, the European Parliament has warned that further sanctions to be imposed on Turkey over its actions in the region can only be avoided through dialogue.

Ahead of a Special European Council meeting on September 24-25 regarding the escalation and the role of Turkey in the Eastern Mediterranean, the Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) have expressed their full solidarity with Greece and Cyprus, in a resolution adopted by 601 votes in favour, 57 against and 36 abstentions.

'Stop warmongering rhetoric'

Stating that the European Union is "clear and determined in defending its interests," MEPs have called on Turkey "to immediately end any further illegal exploration and drilling activities in the Eastern Mediterranean, to refrain from violating Greek airspace and Greek and Cypriot territorial waters and stop 'nationalistic warmongering rhetoric'."

'Solution is possible only through dialogue'

"A solution can only be found through dialogue, diplomacy and negotiations," MEPs have said, calling on all actors involved, especially Turkey, to "commit to an urgent de-escalation by withdrawing their military forces from the area."

"They welcomed Turkey's decision to withdraw one of its seismic research vessels from the area on 12 September as the first step towards easing tensions, condemning at the same time Turkey's plans to extend the term of duty of another drilling ship," the resolution has read further:

"MEPs express serious concern about the current state of EU-Turkey relations, which are being seriously affected by the dire human rights situation in Turkey and the erosion of democracy and rule of law.

'Further sanctions not excluded'

"They call for both Turkey and the member states to support the political dialogue in Libya and to adhere to the arms embargo imposed by the United Nations Security Council (UNSC). MEPs deplore the negative impact that current Turkish foreign policy and other actions in the Mediterranean are having on the stability of the region, including Syria.

"Insisting that further sanctions can only be avoided through dialogue, they call on the Council to stand ready to develop further restrictive measures that should be sectoral and targeted and would not have an adverse impact on the people of Turkey or the refugees residing there."

Turkey: Resolution is biased and unfair

Shortly after this resolution was shared with the public yesterday (September 17), the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkey has condemned the resolution in a written statement on its official website.

Defining the resolution as "unrealistic", Turkey's Foreign Ministry has noted that the resolution "It has been adopted solely for the sake of membership solidarity and serving the self centric interests of certain member states," adding that "this resolution is unacceptable in many respects."

Other highlights from the statement are as follows:

"This biased resolution contradicts both goodwill and common sense and has been adopted despite our efforts before the member states and all the EU institutions at all levels, including the EP. The EP is losing its credibility, due to its biased and unfair approach, as well as its one-sided and invalid interpretation of the maritime law, on which it has no jurisdiction.

"Neither the EP and the EU nor the EU member states have the right to determine the borders or areas of jurisdiction of any third country.

"The European Parliament and the other European Union institutions, if sincere on the settlement of the issue and on European compromise, should display only a facilitating and reconciliatory stance and reach out to candidate country Turkey without prejudice. They should be fair and at equal distance to all parties of a disputable issue.

'Turkey doesn't have designs on others' rights'

"Turkey has shown its good-will, and has not forgone its right and principled stance vis-a-vis the maximalist and unjust attitudes. Despite provocations, it has displayed a determined but sound approach.

"Turkey does not have designs on anyone else's rights but it will continue to protect keenly its rights and interests stemming from the international law as well as those of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.

"As emphasized by H.E. Mr. Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Turkey in his address to the Committee of Foreign Affairs of the EP and in his letters to the members of the EP, Turkey, believing in a sincere dialogue and cooperation with the EU with membership perspective, always prefers dialogue and negotiation for the resolution of disputes.

"On the other hand, Article 9 of the said Resolution, which calls on the EU Council and the Commission to pursue a broader and inclusive dialogue and refers to a comprehensive and strategic security architecture and energy cooperation in the Eastern Mediterranean, has been duly noted." (EKN/SD)