Turkey's Complex Relationship with the EU: Sanctions and Strategic Cooperation

Turkey, a NATO member, finds itself in a precarious political relationship with the European Union (EU). Despite the potential for collaboration, Turkey's EU accession process remains stalled, marred by a series of contentious issues. This relationship, however, continues to be shaped by pragmatic agreements, particularly regarding migration. One of the most significant points of tension in recent years has been Turkey's unauthorized drilling activities in the Eastern Mediterranean, which led the EU to impose financial sanctions on specific Turkish individuals in 2019. Here’s a closer look at the dynamics of these sanctions and their broader implications.

The Sanctions Explained

The EU's decision to impose sanctions in 2019 targeted individuals directly involved in unauthorized hydrocarbon exploration and production activities in the Eastern Mediterranean. These sanctions came in response to drilling activities conducted by Turkish Petroleum Corporation (TPAO) in areas claimed by the Republic of Cyprus. According to the EU, these actions infringed on the sovereignty and sovereign rights of Cyprus, posing threats to the interests and security of the Union.

The sanctions specifically targeted two high-ranking officials from TPAO:

1. The Vice-President (Assistant General Manager) and member of the Board of Directors, who heads TPAO’s Exploration Department.

2. The Deputy Director of the Exploration Department.

These individuals were identified as key figures in planning, directing, and implementing TPAO’s offshore hydrocarbon exploration activities, including those carried out by the TPAO drilling vessel Yavuz in 2019 and 2020.

Nature and Scope of the Sanctions

The sanctions imposed by the EU are stringent:

- All funds and economic resources belonging to the sanctioned individuals are to be frozen.

- No funds or economic resources can be made available to them, either directly or indirectly.

- The individuals are banned from entering or transiting through the territories of EU member states.

These measures aim to exert financial and personal pressure on the individuals involved, thereby discouraging further unauthorized drilling activities and upholding the EU's commitment to international law and the sovereignty of its member states.

The Broader Context: Turkey-EU Relations

Turkey's relationship with the EU is multifaceted and often contentious. The country's EU accession process, which began decades ago, is currently at a standstill. While the EU has been critical of Turkey's domestic policies and actions in the Eastern Mediterranean, it also relies on Turkey for crucial cooperation on issues such as migration.

The EU-Turkey migration agreement is a prime example of this transactional relationship. The EU provides financial support to Turkey in exchange for Turkey's efforts to control the flow of refugees and migrants into Europe. This arrangement highlights the mutual dependencies that exist despite ongoing political tensions.

Implications and Future Prospects

The sanctions imposed by the EU underscore the complexity of its relationship with Turkey. On one hand, the EU seeks to uphold international law and protect the rights of its member states, such as Cyprus. On the other hand, it continues to engage with Turkey on critical issues like migration, which require collaboration and negotiation.

Moving forward, the future of Turkey-EU relations will likely continue to be shaped by these dual dynamics of conflict and cooperation. While sanctions may deter certain actions, the underlying political and strategic issues will require ongoing dialogue and diplomatic efforts to resolve.

Sources: 1) Council Regulation (EU) 2019/1890 of 11 November 2019 concerning restrictive measures in view of Türkiye’s unauthorised drilling activities in the Eastern Mediterranean. 2) Decision (CFSP) 2019/1894 of 11 November 2019 concerning restrictive measures in view of Turkey’s unauthorised drilling activities in the Eastern Mediterranean

Patrick Goergen - 25 July 2024