Turkey slams EU over Cyprus drilling sanctions

European Union foreign ministers agreed on economic sanctions over Turkey's drilling off the coast of Cyprus, setting up the legal framework for travel bans and asset freezes but leaving names until a later date. The move was slammed by Turkish Foreign Ministry, which said that the country "will not cease to protect our rights stemming from international law and rights and interests of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus."

Duvar English/Reuters

European Union foreign ministers have agreed on economic sanctions over Turkey's drilling off the coast of Cyprus, a move that was slammed by Ankara.

The ministers on Nov. 11 set up the legal framework for travel bans and asset freezes but leaving names until a later date.

The decision, reflecting a broader deterioration in EU ties with Turkey, aims to punish Ankara for its drilling activities off Cyprus due to the country "violating the maritime economic zone" of the divided island.

It follows a separate decision to stop new arms sales by EU governments to Turkey over Ankara's Oct. 9 incursion into Syria.

Turkey, which is a formal candidate to join the EU, says it is operating in waters on its own continental shelf or areas where Turkish Cypriots have rights.

EU ministers said in a statement that the decision "will make it possible to sanction individuals or entities responsible for or involved in unauthorized drilling activities of hydrocarbons in the Eastern Mediterranean."

Two EU diplomats said the staggered approach gives Turkey a chance to end what the EU says are "illegal" drilling activities before any measures enter into force.

If sanctions are imposed, the asset freezes and travel bans are likely to target the Turkish military and captains of the drilling ships, the diplomats said.

A short while after the EU decision, Turkish Foreign Ministry released a press statement, criticizing the move, while stressing Turkey's "rights stemming from international law and rights and interests."

"We have repeatedly and strongly emphasized that in the Eastern Mediterranean, we will not cease to protect our rights stemming from international law and rights and interests of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, despite all of the unintelligible steps of the European Union," the statement said.

"It is a vain expectation for those who think that Turkey will bow to threats and back down on its rights in the Eastern Mediterranean. No one should doubt that we will continue our exploration and drilling activities in the Eastern Mediterranean," it added.

Cyprus was divided in 1974 after a Turkish military offensive triggered by a brief Greek-inspired coup. Several peacemaking efforts have failed and the discovery of offshore resources has complicated the negotiations.

In its statement, Turkish Foreign Ministry said that Ankara "will not allow the unilateral usurpation of our rights."

"EU’s unrequited and incomprehensible support to a null and void administration disregarding international law, as well as the falling hostage of an important opportunity for cooperation in the Eastern Mediterranean should indeed serve as a case in point," it added, while slamming the EU for having lost its "credibility to stand as an impartial actor."

We will continue to encourage the implementation of fundamental principles of international law as well as cooperation in the region towards lasting stability and welfare of all the peoples in the Eastern Mediterranean," the statement also read.