Turkey: EU stoking tensions in East Med with sanctions threat

The European Union has "no authority" to demand Turkey end its "legitimate" search for resources in the eastern Mediterranean, the Turkish Foreign Ministry says, accusing the bloc of "increasing tensions" in the region.

Ankara expects the EU to act as "impartial mediator" in the conflict, the statement adds with reference to potential new EU sanctions on Turkey because of its search for gas in a region disputed with Greece.

The measures, meant to limit Turkey's ability to explore for natural gas in contested waters, could include individuals, ships or the use of European ports, EU's top diplomat Josep Borrell said. The EU would focus on everything related to "activities we consider illegal", he added.

Borrell, who chaired the meeting, said the bloc was ready to sanction Turkish vessels, block their access to EU ports and cut off supplies. The EU could also impose sanctions on the Turkish economy.

"We can go to measures related to sectoral activities ... where the Turkish economy is related to the European economy," Borrell told a news conference, referring to possible sanctions.

Turkey's foreign ministry said the EU had no basis for its stance and rejected Greek maritime claims.

"It is beyond the limits of the EU to criticize the hydrocarbon activities of our country within our own continental shelf and demand that we stop them," spokesman Hami Aksoy said.