The European Union is apparently considering sanctions on Turkey in response to the opening of the town of Varosha in the occupied territories of Cyprus. Such a development would be victory and a major step forward for Greece and Cyprus. Whether the EU is serious on the other hand remains to be seen.
The EU’s foreign policy chief Josep Borrell has said sanctions are being considered. This would be crucial because it would directly impose sanctions on Turkey for its aggressive stances toward the Hellenic world. The EU has previously imposed sanctions on Turkey over the purchase of a Russian defense system. At the insistence of Germany, Europe has refused to sanction Turkey over its aggressive and expansionist claims on Greek and Cypriot territory.
Sanctions over Varosha will be a major victory in Hellenic diplomacy. The question remains whether the EU will actually impose sanctions. Now is the time for Athens to pay close attention to which European states will oppose or support the aforementioned sanctions. Any opposition to sanctioning Turkey on the matter of Varosha collectively by the EU itself or by individual EU members should be viewed as hostile and unfriendly actions by Greece and Cyprus.
Any European elements that do not stand with Greece and Cyprus at this date are not worth consideration as long time allies by either Athens or Nicosia.
2 replies on “Sanctioning Turkey”
Turkey is in real economic trouble. The Lira has declined in value to the US Dollar/EURO over 50% since the start of this year. Turks can’t afford food, clothing, medicine, rent and fuel. They have bread lines in major cities which government handing out low quality stale bread. Erdogan has fired a series of Turk Central Bank heads over the last year because they wouldn’t keep interest rates low-and this despite very high inflation in Turkey. He has replaced them with party hacks and Yes men. This is not going to end well for him, on December 29 Turk businesses have to lay-off workers or pay them 50% higher wages based on an Erdogan edict of higher minimum wage. Unemployment is sure to jump dramatically, because the businesses can’t afford to lose any more money and their prices are frozen due to another Erdogan edict. Things are coming apart in Ankara and Erdogan can’t afford to pick fights over Varosha or any other issue. He has made a lot of enemies in the EU and I doubt economic sanctions are going to be blocked by anyone. The consensus is Erdogan and the AKP regime need to go and the sooner the better. It’s time for Greece to take advantage of the situation and put Turkey in a position it will take decades to recover from: https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2021/12/17/turkey-erdogan-currency-crisis/
Excellent points you make. There are indeed reasons for optimism regarding Turkey. The economic problems may keep Erdogan tied down and unable to wage war.