France's Foreign Minister Says New Sanctions on Turkey Possible

World

July 1st, 5:51pm

Asharq Al-Awsat

French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian. (Reuters)

France’s foreign minister said on Wednesday that European Union foreign ministers would meet on July 13 to discuss Turkey and said new sanctions on Ankara could be considered. “At our request there will be a meeting of EU foreign ministers on July 13 solely on the Turkish question,” Jean-Yves Le Drian told a parliamentary hearing. “Sanctions have already been taken on Turkey by the EU over Turkey’s drilling in the Cyprus economic zone. Other sanctions may be envisaged.” Ties between NATO allies France and Turkey have soured in recent weeks over Libya, northern Syria and drilling in the eastern Mediterranean. French President Emmanuel Macron on Monday accused Turkey of massively importing extremists into Libya, labeling Ankara’s intervention “criminal”. Turkey has intervened decisively in recent weeks in Libya, providing air support, weapons and allied fighters from Syria to help the Tripoli-based Government of National Accord (GNA) repel a year-long assault by the Libyan National Army (LNA).

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