Eu imposes sanctions on turkey over cyprus drilling
You're referring to the recent tensions between the European Union (EU) and Turkey over Cyprus!
Yes, on November 24, 2019, the European Union imposed sanctions on Turkey over its drilling activities in the Eastern Mediterranean, specifically in the waters off the coast of Cyprus. The sanctions were imposed in response to Turkey's continued drilling in the region, which the EU considers to be a violation of Cyprus's exclusive economic zone (EEZ).
The sanctions include:
- A travel ban on 18 Turkish officials, including ministers and other high-ranking officials.
- A freeze on the assets of the same 18 individuals within the EU.
- A ban on the sale of equipment and technology that could be used for drilling or exploration in the region.
The EU's decision to impose sanctions was taken after a meeting of the EU's Foreign Affairs Council, where member states agreed that Turkey's actions were "unacceptable" and threatened the stability of the region.
Turkey, however, has rejected the EU's sanctions, calling them "unfair" and "unjust". Turkey has maintained that its drilling activities in the region are legitimate and that it has the right to explore for oil and gas in its own territorial waters.
The dispute between the EU and Turkey over Cyprus is a long-standing one, dating back to the 1970s when Cyprus gained independence from British colonial rule. The island has been divided since 1974, with the internationally recognized government of Cyprus controlling the southern part of the island and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (recognized only by Turkey) controlling the northern part.
The EU has been a strong supporter of Cyprus's sovereignty and territorial integrity, and has repeatedly called on Turkey to respect the island's EEZ and to engage in talks to resolve the dispute. However, Turkey has continued to defy these calls, leading to the current standoff.