The President of the European Council Charles Michel warned Tuesday, September 29 that "
all options remain on the table
" to defend the interests of the EU if Turkey does not show itself "
constructive
" in the settlement of disputes in the Eastern Mediterranean.
Read also: Mediterranean: Erdogan calls on Macron to adopt a "constructive attitude"
Greece, a member of the European Union, and Turkey, which is its partner in NATO, are currently in conflict over the delimitation of hydrocarbon exploration zones in the Mediterranean, a very sensitive subject which appears in the menu of the summit of heads of state and government of the EU convened Thursday and Friday in Brussels.
In his invitation letter, the President of the European Council (a body which represents the 27 member states) explains that the leaders' dinner on Thursday evening will be devoted exclusively to the situation in the Eastern Mediterranean and to relations with Turkey.
“
Our aim is to create a space for constructive dialogue with Turkey in order to achieve stability and security throughout the region, and to ensure full respect for the sovereignty and sovereign rights of all member states of the EU. 'EU
' (Cyprus is also concerned, editor's note), writes Charles Michel.
“
This will only be possible if Turkey engages constructively.
All options remain on the table to defend the legitimate interests of the EU and its member states
, ”he warns.
Already last week French President Emmanuel Macron asked his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan to commit "
unambiguously
" to the de-escalation of the sharp tensions with Greece and Cyprus in this region.
The situation in Belarus, the poisoning of the Russian opponent Alexeï Navalny or the escalation of the fighting in Nagorno Karabakh are also on the program of this European summit, largely devoted to diplomatic crises.
Regarding Nagorno Karabakh, EU foreign minister Josep Borrell said Monday, through a spokesperson, that "
no interference is acceptable
" in this conflict, also deploring an escalation "
very worrying
”for the stability of the region.
Turkey is also concerned by this file.
Ankara has signified its full support for Azerbaijan, while Armenia and the separatists have accused Turkey of political and military interference.
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