The French Foreign Minister, Jean-Yves Le Drian, stated that Turkey’s conflict is increasing with Greece and Cyprus.
The conflict will be the main subject at this month’s Council of Europe meeting, Sunday (September 6).
Paris is also considering applying for sanctions against Ankara.
Le Drian said he and colleagues in other EU countries had discussed the various retaliations that could be taken in light of Turkey’s move in the East Mediterranean.
The EU’s diplomatic chief, Josep Borrell, has also raised the possibility of sanctions against Ankara.
Although the consideration of these sanctions has not received support from other EU countries however, Le Drian urged Erdogan to start talks about his ambitions in the East Mediterranean during a European Council meeting.
The meeting is scheduled for September 24 and 25.
Quoted from Ahram, Le Drian declined to specify the types of sanctions Ankara could face.
However, he stressed there would be a series of actions to respond to Turkey’s stance on the Mediterranean.
“We are not short of options, and he knows that,” he said, referring to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
The French threat comes after Turkey began a military-backed hydrocarbon exploration venture in the waters between Greece and Cyprus on August 10.
Greece responded to Turkey’s move with naval exercises in an effort to protect its maritime territory.
This effort was later supported by the deployment of French frigates and fighter jets.
