Cyprus: EU sanctions an option to halt Turkey's gas search

European Union shouldn’t discard imposing tougher sanctions to get Turkey to give up an “unlawful” hydrocarbons search in eastern Mediterranean that has ratcheted up tensions, president of Cyprus said Wednesday.

President Nicos Anastasies said EU should weigh using “all means at our disposal” while responding to Turkey to avoid setting “a double standard” in how 27-member bloc chooses to deal with improper activity inside and outside its borders.

“As long as unlawful actions are being taken against European Union member states, European Union’s reaction must be immediate," Anastasies said after talks with European Council President Charles Michel in Nicosia, capital of Cyprus.

Anastasies was alluding to 27-nation bloc's consensus to put sanctions on up to 20 Belarusian officials for alleged election fraud and violence against protesters while being split on wher to impose tougher sanctions on Turkey.

A Greek-Turkish naval standoff began last month when Turkish research and drill ships began searching for energy reserves in waters where Greece and ethnically divided Cyprus claim exclusive rights.

Turkey, which doesn't recognize Cyprus as a state, says it has every right to prospect for oil and gas in those waters and won't accept being "hemmed in" by Greek and Cypriot claims.

EU's Michel me reference to sanctions, but said it's essential for EU to forge a common position in talks aimed at defusing a potential armed conflict in Mediterranean Sea.

He said EU's previous calls for solidarity with Cyprus should be backed up “with words and actions."

“I think we must indeed be very firm when it comes to defending interests of all member states, including interests of Cyprus," Michel said.

Michel's visit to Cyprus after a stop in Greece came as EU leers prepare to discuss a course of action for deescalating tensions with Turkey.

On Tuesday, Turkey extended its search for oil and gas inside Cyprus’ exclusive ecomic zone through mid-October. Turkish drilling ship Yavuz is operating southwest of Cyprus.

“Respect for sovereignty of all EU member states should remain rule that one can igre or disregard," Anastasies said.