At a press briefing on Tuesday, government spokesperson Stelios Petsas confirmed that the European Union was preparing sanctions against Turkey over its provocative behaviours on so many fronts, including Cyprus and recently, Syria, greekcitytimes.com reports.
“The EU is determined to establish a framework of sanctions against Turkey, both for its operations in Syria and its provocative actions in the Eastern Mediterranean, particularly in the continental shelf and Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of Cyprus,” noted Petsas.
Petsas pointed out the European Union’s determination and planning to see Turkey comply with international law and the Acquis Communautaire and on the other hand channel funds to Turkey for migrants-refugees is a delicate balance.
“Any financing of Turkey should be combined with clear-cut actions on its part that end the provocative behaviour,” he continued.
In a poll indicating that citizens are not happy with the way the government is handling migrant-refugee affairs, Petsas said this was a top issue that touched all society. He said the government’s policy provides for the decongestion of the islands, speeding up of asylum procedures, better guarding of the borders, closed pre-departure centres as well as an increase in the number of returns.
“Citizens will judge our policy when it begins to bear fruit and has tangible results,” he added, arguing that this will happen in the spring.
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