Armenia joins EU sanctions against Turkey

ArmInfo.Northern Macedonia, Montenegro, Albania, Iceland and Armenia joined the EU sanctions against Turkey for its drilling operations in the exclusive economic  zone (EEZ) of the Republic of Cyprus. Head of the EU diplomacy, Josep  Borrell stated, TASS reports.

"Candidate countries (for EU accession) the Republic of Northern Macedonia, Montenegro and Albania, part of the European Economic Area of Iceland, as well as Armenia will join this decision of the Council. 

They will ensure that their national policies comply with the  decision of the Council. The European Union takes note this  commitment and welcomes it, " the statement noted.  The European  Union at the end of February expanded its sanctions against Turkey  for its drilling operations in the IEE of the Republic of Cyprus.  Restrictive measures were introduced against the vice president and  head of the exploration department of the Turkish Petroleum  Corporation (TPAO) Mehmet Ferruh 

Akalin, as well as his deputy in the department Ali Koskun Namoglu.   Large reserves of natural gas have been found on the shelf and in the  EEZ of the Republic of Cyprus. In September, the island state  government signed an agreement with the French company Total and the  Italian Eni company to develop the 7th sector of the field offshore  Cyprus. However, in early October, Turkey sent its own drilling  vessel to the area, accompanied by warships.

Turkey, which has not recognized the Republic of Cyprus since 1963,  disputes the borders of the EEZ of this island state and declares  that it will not allow geological exploration drilling off the coast  of the island without the consent of the Turkish Cypriot community.  According to Ankara, drilling rigs of Turkey are sent to the gas  field area on the basis of licenses issued by the self-proclaimed  Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, which, apart from Turkey itself,  is not recognized by any other state in the world.