Turkey’s actions unacceptable: French President Macron to EU
PARIS, France (North Press) – The French President Emmanuel Macron called on European Union on Thursday to be “more united and clear” towards Turkey.
“We, as Europeans, have to be clear and firm with the government of President Erdogan, which is conducting unacceptable behavior,” Macron said ahead of the EU Med Group in Corsica.
He called on Turkey to “clarify its intentions”, but at the same time he expressed his “profound” desire to start a “fruitful” dialogue again with Turkey.
He pointed out that “unacceptable practices took place on the Libyan coasts” against a French frigate that was operating under the command of NATO.
“Turkey has signed unacceptable agreements with the Libyan Government of National Accord, denying the legitimate rights of Greece,” Macron said.
Turkey is carrying out unacceptable explorations in the Cypriot region, according to Macron.
“Turkey is no longer a partner in this region,” he said.
For its part, Greece pressured its European Union partners to impose “strict” sanctions on Turkey over its energy exploration in the eastern Mediterranean.
“Turkey is a major destabilizing factor in the wider region. This should be an issue of concern to the European Union and the international community,” Greek Deputy Foreign Minister Miltiadis Varvitsiotis told a European Parliament committee in Brussels on Thursday.
Tensions between Turkey and Greece over the disputed territorial waters have escalated in recent weeks after the escalation in tensions between Turkey and Cyprus.
The Turkish-Greek dispute raised fears of a military confrontation between the two members of NATO and put pressure on diplomatic efforts led by Germany to reach a solution.
France is considered one of the most “steadfast” countries in its support for Greece and has deployed military capabilities in the eastern Mediterranean.
Macron will participate in the seventh summit of the EU Med Group (an alliance of seven Southern European Union member states, Cyprus, France, Greece, Italy, Malta, Portugal and Spain).
The leaders of these countries will discuss the tension in the region in particular.