Cyprus pleased with sanctions against Turkey

The Republic of Cyprus is pleased with a framework regime for sanctions against Turkey, adopted formally by the Foreign Affairs Ministers council, making it possible for countries to place sanctions through asset freezes and travel bans.

The Council of the member states of the European Union, convening in Foreign Affairs Ministers format chaired by EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs Federica Mogherini, formally adopted the framework for restrictive measures in response to Turkey’s drilling activities in the Eastern Mediterranean.

“The framework will make it possible to sanction individuals or entities responsible for or involved in unauthorised drilling activities of hydrocarbons in the Eastern Mediterranean," the Council announced.

Government Spokesman Prodromos Prodromou said the task would be a difficult undertaking for the Republic of Cyprus, clarifying that the goal was to “urge Turkey to end the provocations.”

“The decision puts in motion previous policies and demonstrates in real ways the support of our partners towards our country,” Prodromou added.

The sanctions will consist of a travel ban to the EU and an asset freeze for persons, and an asset freeze for entities. In addition, EU persons and entities will be forbidden from making funds available to those listed.

The framework for restrictive measures makes it possible for EU countries to place under sanctions:

• persons or entities responsible for drilling activities related to hydrocarbon exploration and production not authorised by Cyprus within its territorial sea, exclusive economic zone (EEZ) or continental shelf. Such drilling activities include, where the EEZ or continental shelf has not been delimited in accordance with international law, activities which may jeopardize or hamper the reaching of such a delimitation agreement
• persons or entities providing financial, technical or material support for the above mentioned drilling activities
• persons or entities associated with them