Merkel bemoans lack of progress with Turkey

In the runup to the upcoming European Council on December 10-11, German Chancellor Angela Merkel rued during a virtual meeting on Monday of EU parliaments' European affairs committees that "no progress has been made relations with Turkey" as its moves "are very aggressive or provocative."

Nonetheless, in what is seen as a move to avoid European Union sanctions, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is expected to deliver a speech on the first day of the summit - announcing reforms in the areas of justice, individual freedoms and freedom of expression. 

Meanwhile, following the decision by the leaders of the member-states, EU High Representative Josep Borrell is expected to draw up a list of sectoral sanctions against Turkey, which will be on the table and will be activated in the event that Ankara's behavior deteriorates in the coming months.

However, even if...