As Turkey sent a new ship to search for hydrocarbons off the coast of EU member Cyprus, the bloc repeated its condemnation of Ankara’s “illegal drilling activities.”
The 28 EU leaders meeting at a summit in Brussels said they “deplored that Turkey has not yet responded to the EU’s repeated calls to cease such activities.”
Earlier this week EU states tasked the European Commission, the bloc’s executive, with preparing “appropriate measures” to hit back at Turkey. On Thursday they went further, brandishing the threat of sanctions against individuals and companies involved in the drilling.
“The EU will continue to closely monitor developments and stands ready to respond appropriately and in full solidarity with Cyprus,” the leaders said.
European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker warned Ankara it could expect tough action, Arab News reports.