Spanish PM calls for UK to agree to Brexit deal

Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez issued a stern warning to the UK government, demanding that the Withdrawal Agreement be respected, so there can be "Brexit with an agreement."

Heads of states and government of France, Greece, Cyprus, Malta, Italy, Spain and Portugal gathered in Corsica on Thursday amid fears of open conflict as Turkey seeks to expand its energy resources and influence in the eastern Mediterranean.

Speaking after the first round of meetings, Sanchez also addressed the migrant pressures on the countries present but said immigration policy must not be led only by frontier control.

He later urged that the COVID-19 recuperation fund be approved before the end of the year.

In their final statement, leaders reaffirmed their "full support and solidarity with Cyprus and Greece" facing Turkey's "confrontational actions."

They also called on resuming German mediation in the dispute.

Greece and Turkey have deployed naval and air force units to assert competing claims over energy exploration rights in the eastern Mediterranean.

(Representative Image)