Dendias: Europe sees Turkey as a problem and proposing a double agenda

The report by the European Union's High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell, was "positive in principle, because it correctly perceives Turkey as a problem for the whole of Europe and underlines the problems that the Turkish behaviour presents for the EU," Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias said on Monday, arriving at the EU Foreign Affairs Council. He noted, however, that "there are omissions, such as on casus belli or the references to Turkish offences, such as in Varosha or the direct violations of UNCLOS, the international law on the sea."

"In the ensuing debate in the Council, I will highlight these shortcomings. We must, however, hold on to what's positive. Europe sees Turkey as a problem and is proposing a double agenda: positive measures, on the one hand, but on the other hand a clear possibility of taking measures, sanctions, against Turkey if it slips back into its unacceptable delinquent behavior," Dendias added.