Dendias: Sanctions against Turkey a success for the European family
File Photo: Nikos Dendias. ΑNA – MPA, consilium.europa.eu, photothek Foreign Office
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The European Union’s decision to examine the imposition of sanctions against Turkey is a success for the common European family, Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias said in an interview with Deutsche Welle on Saturday.
“Within the European family, we decided that, in the event that Turkey does not return to the path of reason, if it does not return to the process of dialogue, to a process in which respect for international law and the law of the sea is essential, these sanctions will be on the daily agenda. This was agreed,” Dendias said.
He noted that Turkey does not understand the limits, which are international law and the law of the sea.
Questioned about the approach adopted by German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas and whether this was softer, Dendias pointed out that Germany currently holds the EU presidency “and it is understandable that it must choose the more lenient version with a view to the best possible result.” Greece, likewise, would “naturally prefer if we all settled issues through dialogue,” he added.
“Greece always said that it was prepared [to engage in] a dialogue and that the last thing that we wanted was to use the option of a sanctions document. We did not want this. We would have very much liked to avoid it. And yet, however, clear lines must be drawn. Turkey must understand that it cannot, as a country, fail to respect international law and the law of the sea. This is problematic, not only for the region but all the world,” he said.
Dendias expressed the hope that he will see a common understanding between states and nations in the region, adding that Greece “is absolutely disposed to do this, it is up to President Erdogan to choose.”
Finally, as regards the possibility that Greece and Turkey will resume negotiations once more, the minister said that there were “benchmark conditions” that included international law, international law of the sea and respect for human rights.
“But once again: if Turkey is prepared to reach an understanding with Greece, with the EU, with Greece and Cyprus, we will be fully satisfied,” he concluded.
Source: ANA – MPA
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