Answer given by Vice-President Borrell on behalf of the European Commission
11.2.2020
The Commission, in its May 2019 Enlargement Package, recalled the European Council Conclusions of March 2018 strongly condemning Turkey's continued illegal actions in the Eastern Mediterranean and the Aegean Sea.
It also noted that there were repeated and increased violations of the territorial waters and airspaces of Greece and Cyprus by Turkey and underlined that tensions in the Aegean Sea and Eastern Mediterranean were not conducive to good neighbourly relations and undermined regional stability and security.[1]
Furthermore, the European Union has repeatedly underlined, most recently on 18 June 2019[2] that it continues to expect Turkey to unequivocally commit to good neighbourly relations, international agreements and to the peaceful settlement of disputes, having recourse, if necessary, to the International Court of Justice.
It also stressed that Turkey must avoid threats and actions that damage good neighbourly relations and respect the sovereignty of all EU Member States over their territorial sea and airspace as well as all their sovereign rights, including inter alia the right to explore and exploit natural resources, in accordance with EU and international law, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.
- [1] https://ec.europa.eu/neighbourhood-enlargement/sites/near/files/20190529-turkey-report.pdf & https://ec.europa.eu/neighbourhood-enlargement/sites/near/files/20190529-communication-on-eu-enlargement-policy_en.pdf
- [2] https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2019/06/18/council-conclusions-on-enlargement-and-stabilisation-and-association-process/