Turkish research ship off Antalya, Turkey on July 22, 2020 Tensions rose earlier this year when Turkey sent a ship into a disputed area to search for potentially rich oil and gas deposits. Mrs von der Leyen told reporters that the EU wanted “a positive and constructive relationship with Turkey and this would be also be very much in Ankara’s interest”. “But it will only work if the provocations and pressures stop,” she said. “We therefore expect that Turkey from now on abstains from unilateral actions. In case of such renewed actions by Ankara, the EU will use all its instruments and options available. We have a toolbox that we can apply immediately.” After their late-night meeting, EU members agreed to review Turkey’s behaviour in December and impose sanctions if “provocations” had not stopped. Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz, posting on Twitter after the meeting, said: “The EU issues a […]