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Turkey is conducting military operations in foreign territories, occupying parts of neighbouring states, threatening war, disputing the sovereignty and sovereign rights of European countries. #ta_nea
Turkey is transporting Jihadists, meddling in the internal affairs of other countries by supporting extremist movements. #ta_nea
Turkey is instrumentalising the migration crisis, and violating human rights domestically. It is trying to create a sphere of influence in the wider region; to create a new Turkish Yalta. #ta_nea
Turkey has become not just a difficult neighbour and recalcitrant partner for Europe, but also a clear threat to the stability of Europe, the wider Eastern Mediterranean region and, in general, the Arab world and the Caucasus. #ta_nea
The great challenge we are facing today is that, contrary to the views expressed from time to time, this threat will not magically disappear if and when there are changes in the Turkish political system. #ta_nea
The fact is, if this threat is not handled firmly, it will continue to grow. Europe is facing Turkish Revisionism and is called upon to take important decisions. #ta_nea
This past October, the #EUCouncil left open a window of opportunity for Turkey to comply with international law and stop its pattern of repeatedly illegal behaviour. Turkey did exactly the opposite. #ta_nea
Now, through gestures of supposed good will, it is trying to fool Europe. But the European Union is not naive. #ta_nea
In a few days, the #EUCouncil will convene to take important decisions on Turkey. It goes without saying that there is no longer any room for a positive agenda. #ta_nea
To the contrary, decisions need to be taken that make it clear that Turkey cannot continue to behave in this way without consequences. #ta_nea
Turkey cannot be allowed to employ 19th century practices in the 21st century. These decisions will not be a message from Greece. They will be a message from Europe. #ta_nea
And these decisions will be in Turkey’s long-term interest, because they will enable the country to discern, through the clouds of neo-Ottoman splendour, its true limits. #ta_nea
If Turkey’s withdrawal from the path of European values is not clearly condemned, those elements within Turkish society that favour modernisation and rapprochement with Europe will be weakened in the domestic debate. #ta_nea
Greece’s stance derives not from a desire to see Turkey punished, but from the need to defend sovereignty and sovereign rights, as the Mitsotakis government has made clear in every direction. #ta_nea
We want consistent and long-term good neighbourly relations with Turkey, based on full respect for international law and perhaps, if Turkey so desires, a European perspective. We are always open to constructive dialogue on this basis. #ta_nea
Turkey must demonstrate, in practice, that it supports the idea of this dialogue. However, this choice on Turkey’s part must have continuity and not just be a flag of convenience. #ta_nea
