International sanctions

In response to Turkey's repeated violations of Cyprus' exclusive economic zones (EEZ), European Union foreign ministers adopted a mechanism on Monday which would make it possible "to sanction individuals or entities responsible for, or involved in, unauthorized drilling activities of hydrocarbons." 

The European Union has unveiled a system for imposing sanctions on Turkey over its unauthorized gas drilling in Mediterranean waters off Cyprus but no Turkish companies or officials have yet been targeted.

The European Union member states united on Oct. 14 to condemn Turkey's offensive in Syria but stopped short of imposing an arms embargo, while opening the way to sanctions over Ankara's controversial drilling off Cyprus.

EU foreign ministers meeting in Luxembourg on Monday are expected to deplore the Turkish offensive in Syria and vow to coordinate on imposing an arms embargo, Bloomberg has reported, though a decision is on Turkey is not expected until later this week.

Namely, Russian Foreign Affairs Minister wrote in an article published in a Russian magazine "Russia in global policy" that liberalism which the West pretends to defend, focuses on the individuals and their rights and freedoms.

Kosnett criticized the fact that people who have problems with justice are on their lists of candidates for the upcoming early parliamentary elections.

Iran on July 4 condemned the "illegal interception" of one of its oil tankers in Gibraltar where authorities said they suspected it was carrying crude to Syria in violation of EU sanctions.    

Cuba will continue to support Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro as a legitimate South American leader, France's press agency quoted an official Cuban representative as saying.

The Cuban source of France's press has underlined that Havana's support for Maduro "is not negotiable" despite U.S. sanctions against an island state.

Iran called U.S. sanctions "economic war" on June 3, and said there could be no talks with the United States until sanctions are lifted, a day after Washington suggested it could hold talks without pre-conditions if Iran changed its behaviour.

The United States announced on April 22 it will no longer grant sanctions exemptions to eight countries, including Turkey.