The EU expressed serious concern over the agreement between Turkey and Libya, and even estimated that it could cause problems in the Greek islands.
The Turkey-Libya agreement was discussed at the EU Foreign Affairs Council in Brussels on Monday. Josep Borrell, the Commission's vice-president and EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, said the agreement was a matter of serious concern. At the same time, he expressed the solidarity and support of the EU in Greece and Cyprus.
"In today's political debate it became clear that the agreement is problematic for some countries and specifically for Greece and Cyprus in terms of territorial waters," Borel said, according to APE, adding that the agreement "could to cause a problem in Greek islands ".
"It is clear that this document is a matter of serious concern. "We express our solidarity and support to Greece and Cyprus," Borel said, referring to the Turkey-Libya agreement during a press conference after the EU foreign ministers' meeting.
Asked about this, Borel noted that the agreement became known "too late" in Brussels and that the European authorities are currently examining it. At the same time, he reiterated the Commission's position that any agreement "should respect international law".
Ahead of the foreign ministers' meeting, several of them voiced opposition to Turkey's agreement with Libya.
"It is somewhat unbelievable how they share the Mediterranean with each other. "We have to see how we deal with it," said Austrian Foreign Minister Alexander Salenberg, according to the Associated Press. "The Netherlands is always a strong supporter of international law and we are on the side of Greece. "International law must be applied," said Steve Block, the Dutch foreign minister.
At the EU Foreign Affairs Council, Nikos Dendias called for the explicit condemnation of Turkey's agreement with Libya, as well as sanctions in case the two sides do not comply.
The final decisions on the issue will be taken at the European Council, noted Mr. Dendias, in which Kyriakos Mitsotakis will participate. The Greek Foreign Minister expressed satisfaction with the support of France, Italy, Cyprus and the Netherlands. An agreement was reached with his Italian counterpart for a visit of Mr. Dendias to Rome in the near future.
"I raised today in the Foreign Affairs Council the issues that arise from the signing of the two invalid memoranda between Turkey and the government of Tripoli. The violation of the Skhirat agreement, the direct violation of International Law and the Law of the Sea ", said Mr. Dendias from Brussels.
"I highlighted the model of Turkish delinquency, both in the Aegean, in Cyprus and in the Eastern Mediterranean. I called for the explicit condemnation of these memoranda, the creation of a framework of sanctions, if Turkey and the government of Tripoli do not comply and of course the support of Greece and Cyprus ", he added and added:" I also explained in the clearest way that the "Greece will do whatever it takes to defend its sovereignty and sovereign rights."
The statements of Nikos Dendias
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