06 Nov 2020 | 12:43 UTC London
Stuart Elliott, Editor: Alisdair Bowles
London — The EU Council on Nov. 6 extended by one year its framework for sanctions that can be imposed against those responsible for Turkey's gas exploration work in disputed waters of the East Mediterranean.
The Council first adopted the sanctions framework in November last year.
"The Council today adopted a decision extending for one year, until Nov. 12, 2021, the existing framework for restrictive measures in response to Turkey's unauthorized drilling activities in the Eastern Mediterranean," it said.
"The EU will therefore maintain its ability to impose targeted restrictive measures on persons or entities responsible for or involved in unauthorized drilling activities of hydrocarbons in the Eastern Mediterranean," it said.
The sanctions would consist of a travel ban to the EU and an asset freeze for persons, and an asset freeze for entities.
In addition, EU persons and entities are forbidden from making funds available to those listed, it said.
The two officials to be placed under sanctions in February were TPAO exploration head Mehmet Ferruh Akalin and deputy exploration director Ali Coscun Namoglu.
