EU Considers Sanctions against Turkey over East Med Dispute

European Union (EU) foreign ministers will assess, on Monday, the reasons for imposing sanctions on Turkey over the Mediterranean gas dispute before EU leaders decide whether to implement their threat of punitive measures, according to Sputnik News agency.

The ministers will not make any decisions at their meeting on Monday, leaving that for EU leaders, who, in October told Turkey to stop drilling in the disputed waters in the eastern Mediterranean or face the consequences.

EU leaders are set to hold a summit next Thursday.

The Turkish decision in late November to return a seismic exploration vessel to port has calmed tensions, yet EU officials and diplomats said broader issues - over Libya, Syria, Russia, and authoritarianism in Turkey, have hardened EU positions, according to Reuters.

A senior EU official said, "I have no knowledge of any EU government challenging the view that the situation is worse than October and that leaders should consider the consequences."

On its part, the EU said that Turkish exploration and survey ships have continued to operate in the disputed waters with Greece and Cyprus, which Greece describes as making formal talks with Turkey over maritime claims impossible.