Turkey, so close and yet so far from the European Union

The United Nations Secretary General between January 1997 and December 2006, Kofi Annan, defended the idea that "diplomacy, bilateral and multilateral, is our first line of defence". Over the past decades, bilateral relations between the European Union and Turkey have exemplified that saying, "with or without you". The country led by Recep Tayyip Erdogan has been a key strategic partner of the EU on issues such as migration and the fight against terrorism. However, the discovery of gas deposits in the eastern Mediterranean and the shipment of mercenaries and weapons to Libya have accelerated geopolitical dynamics in the region.  Given this situation, EU foreign ministers have assessed the possibility of applying sanctions against Turkey for its exploration in the Mediterranean, in the event that diplomatic relations between the two nations are not resolved. 

"Turkey is an important country for the European Union, with which we would like to strengthen and develop our relations. However, this must be done with respect for European values, principles and interests," said EU High Representative for Foreign Policy Josep Borrell after the Council of Ministers. "There has been a consensus among member states that EU-Turkey relations are currently under continuous strain. There are worrying developments, particularly in the Eastern Mediterranean and Libya, which directly affect our interests," he added. 

During the press conference, Josep Borrell also insisted that Ankara's unilateral actions in the waters of the Mediterranean "are contrary to the interests of the European Union, the sovereign rights of the member states and international law". "These actions must come to an end," he said.  The EU's High Representative for Foreign Policy subsequently announced that during the meeting there was "broad support" for the decision to "explore new avenues that could contribute to reducing tensions and reaching an understanding on issues that are increasingly straining relations between Turkey and the EU". 

EU foreign ministers have met in Brussels for the first time since the start of the pandemic. During the meeting, they focused on several issues, but mainly on the evident gap between Turkey, a NATO ally and the European Union.  In addition to seeking ways of understanding, Borrell also reported that they are preparing "options and other appropriate measures that could be taken in response to the challenges we face as a result of Turkey's actions" and that they do not rule out expanding the list of those sanctioned under existing sanctions for Turkish exploration in the Mediterranean, as requested by Cyprus. 

The EU block agreed to draw up a list with more measures, which means sanctions that will allow the EU to respond "efficiently if Turkey continues with its offensive behaviour", said Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias at the end of the meeting.  During the meeting, the foreign ministers also condemned Turkey's decision to turn the iconic Hagia Sophia into a mosque and called for intercultural dialogue and the coexistence of religions. "These serious issues must be addressed by Turkey in order to change the current dynamics of confrontation and create an environment of trust that everyone wants," insisted Borrell. 

Furthermore, the new wave of refugees has reopened the scars of a crisis that, for a few years, seemed to have been buried under the ashes of the migration agreement signed in 2016. Turkey's decision to open its borders for the passage of migrants to the European Union has further strained relations between Brussels and Ankara. Since 28 February, when Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan took this decision, thousands and thousands of migrants have gathered at the border with Greece. Borrell warned in March that "the use of migrants as a currency cannot be tolerated". While the EU has opted for dialogue, Turkey has continued to pursue its ambitions and in recent months has called for more European support to end Syria's war or to take in millions of refugees. 

European diplomats have also urged Ankara to "actively contribute to a political solution in Libya" and to respect the commitments made during the peace process in Berlin.  The latest update from the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reports that around 16,000 Syrian fighters have been recruited by Turkey to fight in the North African country, where Ankara supports the Government of National Unity (GNA), led by Fayez Sarraj. The UK-based NGO has claimed that the mercenaries include at least 340 minors and that 5,600 belong to Syrian armed factions allied with Turkey.  So far, 470 Syrians have been killed in fighting in Libya, including 33 minors.

In addition to Turkey, diplomatic relations between the European Union and Latin America and the Caribbean have also been on the agenda of this meeting. The foreign ministers discussed how the EU can cooperate on this continent and regretted that no bi-regional summits have been held in the last five years.  

The threat of sanctions by the EU bloc came just a week after the Turkish foreign minister warned that his country would respond with more measures in the Eastern Mediterranean if the EU "continues to be held hostage by Greece and Cyprus". "Don't decide to adopt more sanctions because if that happens, then Turkey can take steps in the Mediterranean or in other areas, but we don't want that, we prefer to improve cooperation with the EU and we expect the same from them," said the Turkish diplomat in a joint round table with Borrell after the meeting between the two in the Turkish capital. In short, the migration crisis, the Libyan conflict, the Eastern Mediterranean waters or Hagia Sophia are just some of the issues that are keeping Ankara away from Brussels.