Greece calls for EU sanctions against Turkey

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis demands EU sanctions against Turkey because of the continuing aggression of the Turkish state in the Eastern Mediterranean and suggests to appeal to the International Court of Justice.

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has sharply warned the EU to impose sanctions on Turkey, saying: "If Europe wants to exert genuine geopolitical influence, it cannot simply risk making concessions to a belligerent Turkey.”

Previously, Turkey had openly threatened France and Greece with war in the dispute over the territories in the Mediterranean. Mitsotakis pointed out that if Ankara did not see reason by the time of an EU special summit on September 24 and 25, the EU leaders would have "no option but to adopt effective sanctions".  

Turkey is searching for natural gas in Greek and Cypriot sea areas accompanied by warships. Mitsotakis warned against Ankara's nationalist propaganda and aggressive militarism and said "We must recognize that vital interests - strategic European interests - are at stake.”

At the same time, Mitsotakis called for dialogue alongside Turkey's withdrawal and offered as a solution: "We talk about our differences. And we are trying to reach an agreement. If we can't, we will let the International Court of Justice decide. After all, what does Ankara have to fear from the sovereignty of law?"

This question may have been rather rhetorical in nature, as Ankara's claims to most of the eastern Mediterranean are more than controversial under international law, and a withdrawal from the eastern Mediterranean would represent a diplomatic defeat for Turkey, which could put the wavering regime in an even more precarious position domestically.