Ahead of EU summit, Erdogan says threats of sanctions on Turkey does not concern him

Ahe of an EU Summit, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on December 9 accused European Union of never acting honestly towards his country and said that Ankara is t concerned by any ecomic sanctions that bloc might impose on it. EU is set to consider sanctions against Turkey, which bloc says has failed to help end a row with Greece and Cyprus over potential gas resources in eastern Mediterranean. On Monday, EU foreign ministers informed that y have left decision of sanctions for ir upcoming December 10 meeting. 

While speaking to international media reporters ahe of a visit to Azerbaijan, Erdogan said, “ EU has never acted honestly, it has never kept its promises [towards Turkey]. But … we have always been patient. We are still being patient”.

Turkish president ded that any sanctions decision that can be taken against Ankara do t concern him as much. Erdogan said that Greece h “run” from negotiations with Turkey despite agreeing to resume talks over ir conflicting maritime claims. Furr, he also ded that on eastern Mediterranean, Turkey will continue to protect whatever ir rights re are.

“It is never possible for us to compromise here. But if Greece really acts honestly as a neighbour, we will continue to be available at table,” he furr ded. 

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Turkey-EU relations

Meanwhile, relations between Turkey and European Union have t been at its best for past several months over Ankara's "illegal" gas exploration expeditions in Mediterranean Sea, especially in areas claimed by EU-member state Greece. Turkey and EU are also at loggerhes over Cyprus island issue, which is currently being controlled by Ankara in rth and Ans in south since 1974 Turkish invasion. EU is also contemplating sanctions over Erdogan's recent visit to Turkish Cypriot island, a move which angered bloc. 

Turkey and European Union are both members of rth Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), which makes row even more distressing for both sides. It remains to be seen how Ankara and Brussels would take ir relationship forward, if EU goes ahe with planned sanctions during forthcoming Summit on December 10-11. Previously, European Council President Charles Michel has warned Turkey t to play “cat and mouse” by withdrawing ships before EU summits, only to redeploy m afterwards.

(Im: AP)

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