EU imposes sanctions on Turkey over gas drilling near Cyprus - report

The European Union has imposed punitive measures on Turkey over its gas drilling activities near Cyprus, according to German press agency DPA.

The European Union had threatened Turkey to impose sanctions on the country over its "illegal" drilling for gas and oil off the coast of Cyprus. But Turkey's foreign minister, Mevlut Cavusoglu, said on Sunday Turkey will continue drilling for gas in waters off Cyprus if the internationally recognized Greek Cypriot government does not accept a cooperation proposal put forward by Turkish Cypriots. Tensions in the region have risen after Turkey told energy firms not to work with the Greek Cypriot government, and sent two ships to drill off the island. The dispute stems from overlapping claims to regional waters by Turkey and Cyprus, linked to the 45-year-old split of the island and Ankara's rejection of agreements Cyprus has reached with other Mediterranean states on maritime economic zones.

Turkey's Fatih ship started drilling off western Cyprus in May. A second drilling ship, Yavuz, arrived off the northeastern coast last week.