GAS DISPUTE

news sport j2 money culture scene video subscription TENSIONS WITH GREEK Turkey on sanctions threats: 'EU stance serves to satisfy Greek side' Turkey and Greece are arguing over territorial waters whose submarines are rich in energy Writes: HinaPosted: October 2, 2020 8:05 pm 8566151 Adem Altan / AFP Facebook Twitter Messenger E-mail Turkey said on Friday that the European Union's warning to impose new sanctions on Ankara over a dispute over energy resources in the eastern Mediterranean was "contradictory". The EU's position "serves to satisfy the Greek side," Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said at a joint press conference in Rome with Italian counterpart Luigi Di Maio . EU leaders decided on Friday not to impose new sanctions on Turkey, but warned Ankara that they could be imposed immediately if they violate international law by exploring a Mediterranean gas field that has sparked tensions with Greece. The EU's "hidden threat" does not yield concessions, Cavusoglu said, expressing disappointment that the EU had not offered "concrete" steps to update the two sides' migration agreements, customs union agreements or visa liberalization. Ankara is still ready to co-operate with the EU "under appropriate conditions", Cavusoglu said, urging the Union to be "honest". RELATED NEWS 8889159 ON CRETE Pompeo after meeting with Greek prime minister: 'US strongly supports Greece-Turkey dialogue' GAS DISPUTE European threat of sanctions against Turkey fades, Cyprus blackmails: 'It's the only weapon we have' European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said after a meeting of leaders of the 27 member states that the EU could impose sanctions on Ankara if Turkish "provocations and pressures" continue in the eastern Mediterranean. "We want a positive and constructive relationship with Turkey, and this would also be very much in Ankara's interest," she told a news conference. Greece, which has called for sanctions, is "completely satisfied" with the conclusion of the summit, Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said on Friday. Turkey and Greece are at loggerheads over territorial waters whose submarines are rich in energy, and tensions rose on Monday when Ankara sent a research ship to the disputed part of the Mediterranean, accompanied by warships.