EU: Sanctions that will "hurt" Turkey - What Athens suggested, Dendias' warnings

At the same time, Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias, in an effort to show that there is an obligation of allied solidarity with Greece and that the escalation of Ankara's provocations is not a bilateral Greek-Turkish problem, hastened to say that in the event of a Turkish attack Greece will retaliate.

Dendias demanded the activation of article 42 in case of a Turkish attack
In fact, the Greek Foreign Minister, according to cross-referenced diplomatic sources, explained to his 27 European counterparts that in such a case, that Turkey would attempt to violate Greece's sovereign rights (escalation of Turkish aggression with open hydrocarbon search, of Rhodes or some other Greek island, or with another kind of Turkish energy at the expense of Greek sovereignty), Athens will react militarily.

He even added that Greece will invoke Article 42 of the founding treaty of the EU and will ask for the military assistance of the other member states.

What Article 42 states
"In the event that a Member State commits an armed attack on its territory, the other Member States shall provide assistance and assistance to them by all means at their disposal in accordance with Article 51 of the United Nations Charter." referred to in the preamble to Article 42 (7) of the EU Founding Treaty.

Dendias: If Europe does not prevent Turkish aggression, it will not like what will happen
Speaking to SKAI, Mr. Dendias himself clarified: "Greece has capable armed forces. Europe must understand that it must take a quick stand here to prevent this. Because if she doesn't stop, she won't like what will happen. Not at all in fact. " As he added, the government of Kyriakos Mitsotakis has a constitutional obligation to fully protect the sovereignty and sovereign rights of Greece.

"During the Council, I referred to the serious implications of Turkish delinquency for security and stability in the Eastern Mediterranean. I am satisfied, because the partners expressed solidarity with Greece and Cyprus for the illegal Turkish actions to the detriment of our sovereignty and sovereign rights. "There was a broad consensus to prepare, at our request, a list of appropriate further measures, ie sanctions, that will allow the EU to respond effectively if Turkey proceeds with its delinquent behavior," Dendias said.

EU-studied sanctions against Turkey
According to diplomatic sources, among the sanctions that fell on the table is the suspension of accession negotiations and pre-accession funding. A development that will be particularly unfavorable for the faltering Turkish economy.

In addition, according to SKAI, the revocation of the customs union, which includes agreements on tariffs, etc., as well as the termination of the financing of projects by the European Investment Bank, as well as the cessation of arms sales - spare parts from all member states to Turkey are being discussed. .

Also, diplomatic sources state that the Greek delegation submitted the request to include in the list of political and economic sanctions planned against Turkey specific measures for the Turkish banks and the tourism industry of the neighboring country.

Greece's alliances in the Council
The long meeting (lasted six hours) also formed a bloc of countries that openly called for a list of sanctions to be identified and imposed on Ankara in order to send a clear message that Tayyip Erdogan's actions to the detriment of the sovereign rights of other EU countries could not to be tolerated.

A number of countries sided with Greece in the Foreign Affairs Council, diplomatic sources said.

In particular, "among them are France, Luxembourg, Estonia, Slovakia, Sweden, while Austria has even called for a halt to accession negotiations."

Regarding the measures proposed by Greece, "these are sectoral measures. The identification for the sectors will be discussed and in the meantime Greece's contacts with the European External Action Service will continue in this regard as well ", said the same sources and concluded tha t"it was sought by the Greek side and a strong condemnation was achieved in the issue of Agia Wisdom" against a milder rhetoric that was originally chosen.

"There was a strong condemnation of the conversion of Hagia Sophia into a mosque. In fact, Turkey was asked to review and reverse its decision, "said Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias from Brussels, after the end of the long meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council.