EU punishes Turkey

Brussels imposed sanctions on Ankara, as well as suspension of contacts among high-level officials. Those describing as Turkish gas drilling in Cypriot national waters, the EU foreign ministers responded with the suspension of $184m in aid to Turkey and the withdrawal of the deal on the air space.

The bloc has even asked the European Investment Bank to review the loan for the country, which in 2018 reached nearly 434 million.

Turkey again was urged to curb gas research activities on the Cypriot coast and act in the spirit of good neighbourlyness, respecting the island's sovereignty, in accordance with international law.

EU sanctions come at the time Turkey faces the risk of similar measures on the part of the United States, angered by the purchase of Russian anti-missile systems from Ankara. However, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu tried to downplay Brussels' movement, saying it only wants to calm Cyprus, and does not, according to him, have any major significance.

The EU needs us in terms of immigration issues and others. They have been forced to make that decision without any power in Greek-Cypriot and Athens pressure, he said.

Turkey launched a move considered illegal by the EU two months ago, but not by Ankara, which views the drilling of territorial waters in northern Cyprus as legitimate, as it ignited tensions several days ago when it shipped a ship of two to the area.