An urgent question to the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Policy and Security Policy, Kaya Kalas, was submitted by the head of the ND Eurogroup in the European Parliament and a member of the Joint Parliamentary Committee on EU-Turkey relations, Eliza Vozeberg-Bryonidisafter the “latest worrying developments between Ankara and Damascus”.

As stated in the relevant announcement, “the Greek MEP highlighted the fact that Turkey is ready to sign for the second time – after the illegal Turkish-Libyan memorandum – an EEZ demarcation agreement, this time with Syria”.

Mrs. Voseberg, in her question, emphasizes that it is “for yet another direct violation of international law by Turkey, but also for a dangerous threat against the sovereign rights of the Republic of Cyprus and by extension the EU”.

In this context, he asks her European Commission “to immediately exert pressure on Turkey, even taking the appropriate preventive measures, in order to avoid the repetition of illegal defacto situations on the Turkish side, such as with the signing of the Turkish-Libyan memorandum”.

Here is the full text of Eliza Woseberg’s question:

“Turkey has made new provocations in the last twenty-four hours after the recent statements of Turkish officials regarding the imminent signing of an EEZ demarcation agreement between Ankara and Damascus. After the conclusion of the illegal and legally non-existent Turkish-Libyan memorandum in November 2019, which violates the sovereign rights of Greece and the EU, Turkey, this time taking advantage of the lack of a legitimate government in Syria after the fall of the Assad regime, is intensifying efforts to control the wider region, causing serious concerns for stability in the Eastern Mediterranean.

In particular, the Turkish government declares that it is ready to conclude an agreement with the transitional regime in Syria on the delimitation of the maritime jurisdictional zones between them. This provocative stance, which is a direct threat to the sovereign rights of the Republic of Cyprus and the European Union, demonstrates at the same time the complete lack of respect for international law, which Turkey repeatedly and deliberately violates.

Based on the above, the High Representative is asked:

– Does it intend to immediately take preventive measures to avoid the repetition of the illegal situation created by the signing of the Turkish-Libyan cooperation memorandum?

– How does he intend to put pressure on Turkey to comply with international law, given that Turkish actions are a threat and a direct violation of the sovereign rights of EU member states?”