Borrell to present options for sanctions against Turkey at Gymnich

The European Commission confirmed Tuesday that the EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell is set to present a list of potential options for sanctions against Turkey during the Gymnich in Berlin on Thursday, with all options expected to be discussed by the 27 EU leaders during a summit in September.

According to the EC spokeswoman, Nabila Masrali, the issue of sanctions against Turkey has been “talked at length”, as was required by the outcomes of the last Foreign Affairs Council, with Borrell set to present all options at the informal meeting of EU foreign ministers set to take place in the German capital between 27-28 August.

“The EU foreign ministers will informally discuss the situation in the Eastern Mediterranean during the Gymnich and EU leaders will revert to this issue during September, where all options will be on the table,” Masrali told the Cyprus News Agency.

EU foreign ministers agreed during their most recent summit in Brussels on July 13 that options for sanctions against Turkey should be drafted in view of its activity in the eastern Mediterranean, where it has been accused of infringing on the sovereign rights of Greece and Cyprus in pursuit of its energy designs in the region.