Re: EU expansion
Turkey's European Parliament rapporteur Kati Piri presented her report on November 14, 2018, which states that the European Union should formally suspend talks with Turkey on accession. In
March 2019, a majority of the European Parliament voted to suspend the discussions.
BRUSSELS (ANP) - The European Union is imposing sanctions against Turkey for its gas drilling in waters off the Turkish part of Cyprus. The Foreign Ministers have decided to suspend negotiations on a new Turkish-European aviation agreement. There will also be no high-level meetings between the EU and Ankara for the time being. The financial support that Turkey receives from Brussels as an EU candidate member is being reduced.
"We are all behind Cyprus," said Minister Stef Blok. "We call on Turkey again to adhere to international agreements". The EU has on several occasions called on Turkey to stop provocations in the territorial waters of Cyprus.
The whole of Cyprus is an EU member and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus consists of the area occupied by Turkey in 1974, but it is recognized as a state by virtually no one. Turkey, however, states that it is in its right to drill where it does. The seabed is part of mainland Turkey or Turkey is drilling for gas in the interest of Northern Cyprus, Ankara argues.
A new aviation agreement should make flying to and from Turkey considerably cheaper. The EU foreign service is also looking for "appropriate measures".