No preliminary agreement on EU sanctions on Turkey

According to a diplomatic source that informed the press in Brussels the discussion on EU sanctions against Turkey will continue Thursday afternoon, as today there was no agreement.

The same source said diplomats are preparing measures for aproval by the EU Foreign Ministers who are meeting on Monday.

Turkey's activity in the Eastern Mediterranean was also discussed at the College of Commissioners. The Commission's Chief Spokesman stated that "the College discussed the state of play in the relations with Turkey and the illegal drilling activities in the Eastern Mediterranean."

Sanctions under consideration include a limit of the European Investment Bank’s sovereign-backed lending to Turkey and a cut of some 146 million euros ($163 million) in aid for next year. Cyprus is working towards tougher sanctions on firms and individuals associated with the Turkish Petroleum Company.