On Tuesday, the French Minister of Foreign Trade Frank Richer said that the EU would take a “decisive stance” in their next meeting regarding Turkish policies.
In an interview with Sky News Arabia, Richer stressed the need for Turkey to respect international law and European sovereignty, and to end its hostile practices in the region.
“France calls on Turkey to stop its hostilities and stop its expansionist policies, especially in the eastern Mediterranean, and to respect European sovereignty”, said Richer.
He stated that the matter is not related to the rising tensions between France and Turkey, but rather in respecting European sovereignty and “the truth regarding some principles”.
“We will work with our European friends during the next European Council to find ways to reaffirm our will to defend our sovereignty and put an end to some Turkish practices in the eastern Mediterranean, Libya, and Syria”, he added.
The French Minister concluded that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan tried to calm the situation “but France wants action, not words”.
Earlier this week, French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian accused Turkey of sending mercenaries to Libya and Nagorno-Karabakh, saying that Ankara has expansionist ambitions in the region.
Le Drian also pointed out that Turkey is occupying parts of northern Iraq and is questioning the sovereignty of Cyprus and Greece, both EU members.