Commission spokesperson for foreign relations Peter Stano reiterated the European Council’s June call to Turkey to abstain from unilateral actions and contribute to sustained de-escalation in the Eastern Mediterranean, as these are crucial criteria for future EU – Turkey relations.
Responding to a question by CNA on recent developments in the Eastern Mediterranean, namely the prevention by Turkey of a Cypriot research vessel (under a Maltese flag) from conducting surveys connected to plans on the construction of the EastMed gas pipeline, the Commission spokesperson recalled the European Council’s June conclusions, in which the leaders “welcomed the then de-escalation, but stressed the need for the de-escalation to remain sustainable”.
Stano added that the EU leaders also said that “they are ready to engage with Turkey in a phased, proportionate and reversib
Source: Cyprus News Agency