Brussels-SANA
European Union foreign ministers agreed today to impose economic sanctions on the Turkish regime for violating international law by exploring for gas off the coast of Cyprus, setting the legal framework for a travel ban and asset freeze.
"Today's decision will allow for sanctions against individuals or entities responsible or participating in illegal hydrocarbon exploration activities in the eastern Mediterranean," a statement from the ministers quoted by Reuters said.
"This step-by-step approach gives Turkey the opportunity to end what the EU says are illegal drilling activities before any measures take effect," EU diplomats said. "If sanctions are imposed, asset freezes and travel bans are likely to target the Turkish army and ship captains." Drilling. ”
The resolution aims to punish Ankara for violating the Cypriot maritime economic zone by drilling off the divided island.
The regime of Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced in a message broadcast last May on the International Maritime Messaging Service Navtex intends to conduct gas exploration until last September in a region of the Mediterranean Cyprus confirms that it falls within the exclusive economic zone of the island.
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