Government officials of Cyprus and Greece are satisfied with the joint statement of the 27 EU leaders on Turkey, which, as they say, is based on the Borell report and confirms the results of previous European Councils in the neighbouring country.
“This is a two-fold approach, which includes positive measures but also sanctions, if Turkey repeats unilateral actions and its delinquent behavior,” officials in Athens told media.
“All decisions are gradual, conditional and reversible. A blank check is not being given to Turkey, whose behavior will be assessed and the relevant decisions will be taken in June,” the government officials added.
The European Council said they’re ready to work with Turkey should the country maintain their current de-escalation.
“…The European Union is ready to work with Turkey in a gradual, proportionate and reversible way of strengthening cooperation in various areas of common interest and taking further decisions at the June European Council meeting.”
The conclusions also said the EU was prepared to impose sanctions “to defend its interests and those of its member states” if Ankara backtracks.
U.S. President Joe Biden, in a phone call with Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis on Thursday, also conveyed his hope for stability in the eastern Mediterranean.
In the call, Biden conveyed his appreciation to Mitsotakis “for our growing defense cooperation,” including through the Souda Naval Base on the island of Crete, the White House said in a statement.
Biden and Mitsotakis also “agreed to coordinate on issues of shared interest, including energy security, China, Russia, and the Western Balkans,” the statement said.
