Merkel on Belarus sanctions, relationship with Turkey

German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Friday hailed the agreements reached by European Union leaders over issues with Belarus and Turkey as a "great step forward". EU leaders agreed to impose sanctions on dozens of senior officials in Belarus accused of falsifying presidential election results and leading a crackdown on peaceful protesters, after unblocking a veto against the move by one of the EU's smallest member countries.

In an embarrassing standoff, Cyprus had insisted that its EU partners take action against Turkey for its energy exploration work in disputed waters off the Mediterranean island nation's coast before it would agree to the Belarus sanctions. But after several hours of talks into the night, the leaders agreed on a strong statement of support for Cyprus, as well as for Greece, and a stern warning to Turkey that it could face punitive measures if it continues the undersea drilling work.

Praising the decisions Merkel said: "I think that the sanctions against Belarus on the one hand and the procedure against Turkey on the other that have been agreed are a great step forward." European Council President Charles Michel told reporters after chairing the summit in Brussels that a special written procedure would be launched on Friday to impose sanctions on about 40 Belarus officials.

The political row has tarnished the EU's image. It is also unusual in that all 27 EU member countries, including Cyprus, reject the result of the Aug. 9 election that returned Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko to power for a sixth term. They all want a new election and agree that sanctions should be slapped on several officials. Throughout Thursday evening, the leaders debated what approach to take in the EU's increasingly tense ties with Turkey over its drilling in the Mediterranean Sea.

In a summit statement, they agreed that if Turkey continues to react positively in talks with Cyprus and Greece the bloc will “launch a positive political EU-Turkey agenda” with trade and customs incentives, and they held out the prospect of more money and benefits for continued cooperation on migrant flows. If not, the leaders warned, “the EU will use all the instruments and the options at its disposal,” to “defend its interests and those of its Member States.”

(Image Credits: AP)

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