On 11 November 2019, the Council adopted restrictive measures in view of Turkey’s unauthorised drilling activities in the Eastern Mediterranean. Those drilling activities infringe the sovereignty or sovereign rights and jurisdiction of the Republic of Cyprus in its territorial sea, exclusive economic zone and continental shelf and, when such activities are carried out in areas where the exclusive economic zone and continental shelf have not been delimited under international law with a State having an opposite coast, they jeopardise or hamper the reaching of a delimitation agreement. Those actions are contrary to the principles of the United Nations Charter, including the peaceful resolution of disputes, and they pose a threat to the interests and security of the Union. That Decision also stated that the Council had welcomed the invitation by the Government of Cyprus to negotiate with Turkey and noted that the delimitation of exclusive economic zones and of the continental shelf should be addressed through dialogue and negotiation in good faith, in full respect of international law and in accordance with the principle of good neighbourly relations.

That decision provides for the freezing of funds and economic resources of certain persons, entities or bodies responsible for or involved in, including by planning, preparing, for example by means of seismic surveys, participating in, directing, or assisting, drilling activities in relation to hydrocarbon exploration and production, or hydrocarbon extraction resulting from such activities, or providing financial, technical or material support for such activities, which have not been authorised by the Republic of Cyprus, within its territorial sea or in its exclusive economic zone or on its continental shelf, as well as of persons associated with them. Those natural and legal persons, entities and bodies are listed.

Restrictive measures

Trade sanctions: Restricted products and transactions

There are currently no trade sanctions applicable against Turkey.

Financial sanctions: Listed persons & entities, restricted services

There are currently 2 persons on the list of people whose funds and economic resources are frozen.

Other sanctions

EU Member States must prevent the entry into, and the transit through, their territories of the listed persons.

To go further

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Legal texts

Decision (CFSP) 2019/1894 concerning restrictive measures in view of Turkey's unauthorised drilling activities in the Eastern Mediterranean

Regulation (EU) 2019/1890 concerning restrictive measures in view of Turkey’s unauthorised drilling activities in the Eastern Mediterranean

Related information

Will follow soon.