EU prolongs sanctions on Turkey over 'unauthorized drilling in Eastern Mediterranean'

* Photo: Anadolu Agency (AA) - Archive

Click to read the article in Turkish

The Council of the European Union (EU) has prolonged the sanctions on Turkey over its activities in the Eastern Mediterranean for a year.

With a decision shared with the public yesterday (November 11), the Council of the EU has announced that the sanctions regime adopted in November 2019 will be in effect till November 12, 2022.

CLICK - Escalating tensions in Eastern Mediterranean: A brief summary

'Two individuals currently subject to sanctions'

The Council has announced the decision in following words:

Following the review of the framework for restrictive measures in response to Turkey's unauthorised drilling activities in the Eastern Mediterranean, the Council today adopted a decision extending the regime for one year, until 12 November 2022.

"The European Union will remain able to impose targeted restrictive measures on persons or entities responsible for or involved in unauthorised drilling activities relating to hydrocarbons in the Eastern Mediterranean. Such restrictive measures consist of an asset freeze for listed persons and entities as well as a ban on travel to the EU for listed persons.

"In addition, EU persons and entities are forbidden from making funds available to those listed. Currently two individuals are subject to sanctions.

In February 2020, Turkish Petroleum Incorporated Company (TPAO) executives Mehmet Ferruh Akalın and Ali Coşkun Namoğlu were added to the list of people subject to sanctions. They were faced with a ban to enter the EU countries and the freeze of their assets in the related countries.

Turkey's Foreign Minister: No step back

In a statement last week, Turkey's Minister of Foreign Affairs Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu said, "There is no step back in the Eastern Mediterranean. Depending on our interests, we engage in drilling activities and do not let anyone else enter those places." (KÖ/SD)