European Commission urges Turkey to respect member state sovereignty

European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos has addressed concerns regarding Turkey's actions toward Greece, emphasizing that Turkey must respect the sovereign rights of EU member states. Responding to inquiries from MEP Giorgos Avtias, Kos stated that Turkey must avoid threats and actions that damage good neighborly relations.

The Commission underscored that Turkey is required to respect the sovereignty of member states over their territorial waters and airspace, as well as their rights to explore and exploit natural resources in accordance with international law and the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.

While Turkey remains a candidate country and a key partner, the EU has reduced pre-accession support due to a lack of progress regarding the rule of law, noting that accession negotiations have been stagnant since 2018. Funding has instead been redirected toward civil society, people-to-people contacts, and EU priorities. The EU maintains its commitment to defending the interests of its member states and promoting regional stability in the Eastern Mediterranean.