Commission: Turkey must stop threats and actions that harm good neighborly relations

A clear message to Turkey was expressed by the Commission’s representative, Peter Stano, who called on Turkey to stop provoking and threatening and even went so far as to warn Turkey, noting that “otherwise, the EU and its Member States would be forced to to consider an appropriate response “.

“Turkey must stop all threats and actions that harm good neighborly relations and respect the sovereignty of all EU member states in their territorial waters and airspace,” said Peter Stano, the Commission’s foreign policy chief. Asked by APE-MPE about the continuation of the challenges on the part of Ankara. At the same time, Mr. Stano noted that “any open issue should be dealt with peacefully, through dialogue, good faith, with full respect for international law and in accordance with the principle of good neighborly relations.” The Commissioner also added that “in terms of relations between the EU and the EU Member States with Turkey, the EU has been and is very clear: We expect Turkey to be constructive, to refrain from escalating steps, rhetoric or actions and to commit to building good neighborly relations and not the other way around “.

“Otherwise, the EU and its Member States would have to consider an appropriate response. This was clearly stated twice last year by European leaders, and that remains our position to this day.”

In addition, Peter Stano stressed that “the EU has been very clear in many cases that we are willing and ready to commit to Turkey – gradually, proportionately and reversibly to strengthen co-operation in various areas of common interest, under certain conditions”. that Ankara should “commit to de-escalation and de-escalation must be maintained”.