Turkey's Republic asks the EU for visa liberalisation: They Threatened With Sanction

The EU leadership at the summit held Thursday pledged to raise trade levels with Ankara.

However, they warned that they could impose sanctions on the Republic of Turkey, if it resumes with its <x0 illegal <x1-> gas research in the Eastern Mediterranean.

The EU said it will re-examine its position on Turkey at a meeting of the European Council, to be held in June.

But, Ankara has declared that the European Union “does not have authority” to declare illegal “” gas research activities, blaming Greece for this “retoric”, the DPA agency reported.

Turkey's relations with the West, including France and the United States, escalated over the past year after Ankara sent gas exploration ships to the Eastern Mediterranean, boosting the response of Greece and Cyprus, both European Union member states.

Tensions have dropped since Turkey resumed talks with Greece, for the first time since 2016.

EU officials have repeatedly criticised Turkey for violating human rights.

Finally, EU leaders have expressed concern over Ankara's moves to eliminate an opposition party and the departure Turkey's Government made from the Istanbul Convention, a treaty aimed at protecting women from violence.