EU will examine 'appropriate' measures against Turkey over Cyprus

The European Union will consider taking "appropriate" measures against Turkey over its gas drilling activities in Cyprus' offshore maritime zone, according to a press release by the General Affairs Council (GAC) Tuesday.

The news came as Cyprus and Greece put pressure on EU countries to take action against Turkey over its announced intention to drill for gas in Cyprus' exclusive economic zone.
"The Council expresses serious concerns over Turkey's current illegal drilling activities in the Eastern Mediterranean and deplores that Turkey has not yet responded to the European Union's repeated calls to cease such activities," GAC said in a statement after a meeting of ministers in Brussels.
The Council said these actions will have a "serious immediate negative impact" across the range of EU-Turkey relations and called on Turkey to show restraint and respect the...