European Union diplomats have agreed to impose sanctions against two Turkish nationals in response to Ankara’s controversial search for hydrocarbons within Cyprus’ exclusive economic zone.
Citing two officials who did not want to be named, Bloomberg reported on Tuesday that the two Turkish nationals will face travel bans and a freeze of their assets.
This is seen as an “extraordinary escalation” by Brussels against Ankara’s activities off the coast of EU member state Cyprus, the media notes.
“While the punitive measures won’t affect Turkish companies in the hydrocarbon sector, they mark an extraordinary escalation against a country which is still officially a candidate for EU membership,” Bloomberg said.
The decision to target the two individuals with sanctions was reportedly reached at a meeting of EU diplomats in Brussels on Tuesday and still needs to be formally drawn up and signed.
The names of the two have not been revealed.
PS as far as I remember it was Cyprus that had to give the names of persons to be sanctioned.
