Greek-Turkish conflict: France threatened Turkey with sanctions

France wants to defend in the Eastern Mediterranean, European interests, and Turkish claims to reject. "It is not acceptable that maritime territories of EU partners will be hurt. Who does this, must be sanctioned,“ said President Emmanuel Macron on Thursday on the side of the Cypriot President Nikos Anastasiadis in Paris. Macron expressed "full solidarity with Cyprus and Greece in view of the violations of international law, Turkey".

Michaela Wiegel

Political correspondent, based in Paris.

The time of reception at the Elysée Palace, was chosen with Care: The dispute over drilling rights in the Aegean sea escalated, at the same time, Cyprus has the 46. Anniversary of the Turkish Invasion back. "Although we have just spent four days and four nights in Brussels," said Macron, was the meeting with Anastasiadis is of great importance to reaffirm "the importance of our borders in the Eastern Mediterranean".

intensified dispute are Turkish exploration in the potentially natural gas-rich regions to the South of Crete, belonging to the exclusive economic zone of Greece. According to the Turkish interpretation of the Islands such as Crete, have territorial waters, but not within its exclusive economic zone. Prior to Cyprus, Turkey has already created a precedent and leads to holes without the approval of the government of the Republic of Cyprus. The EU has agreed on sanctions, but these have failed in its deterrent effect, from a French perspective.

Macron noted that, given the power of Turkey and Russia of the games in this geopolitically important region, Europe must defend its interests more forcefully. "The EU has still to little weight," he said. But it would be a "serious mistake to leave our security to other actors". France will not allow that to happen. He explicitly stressed the excellent military cooperation with Cyprus.

Since the beginning of the year of the French war ships have already run 20 Times Cyprus. This is part of an enhanced military cooperation. France has strengthened its naval presence in the Eastern Mediterranean and, therefore, its military agreement with Cyprus and Greece, as revised. An early warning system, but also common crisis scenarios that include the new projects.

According to Greece, is France, the second-most important security partner of Cyprus. So French officers for the training of Cypriot officer Junior in charge. Also special forces are trained by the French. France, organizes regular joint naval maneuvers. Now Macron is apparently planning to win all the seven Mediterranean States of the EU for a common security strategy. On Thursday, he announced a summit meeting of the EU-South for the end of August and beginning of September.