Macron Calls for EU Unity on 'Unacceptable' Turkey Behavior

World

September 10th, 10:20am

Asharq Al-Awsat

FILE PHOTO: French president Emmanuel Macron delivers a speech before a dinner with local officials marking the anniversary of the liberation of Ajaccio on September 9, 1943, in Ajaccio, Corsica, France, September 9, 2020. Ian Langsdon/Pool via REUTERS

French President Emmanuel Macron urged Europe on Thursday to adopt a "united and clear voice" on its policy towards Turkey, declaring Ankara is "no longer a partner" in light of its conduct in the Mediterranean and Libya. "We Europeans need to be clear and firm" with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his "unacceptable behavior", Macron told reporters ahead of a summit meeting with fellow EU Mediterranean states in Corsica. But he also said the EU wanted to avoid any escalation in tensions with Ankara. "It is up to Turkey to clarify its intentions", Macron told a news conference. Tensions between EU member Greece and Turkey rose sharply last month after Ankara sent a survey vessel to map out possible oil and gas drilling in territory over which both countries claim jurisdiction. Macron also said that France and Germany were working on a coordinated action to show solidarity with Greece, where thousands of migrants were left without shelter on Wednesday after fires gutted their overcrowded camp on the Greek island of Lesbos.

from Asharq AL-awsat https://english.aawsat.com/home/article/2499796/macron-calls-eu-unity-unacceptable-turkey-behavior