European Commission issues fresh warning to Ankara in wake of Imia incident

The European Union has issued a fresh warning to Turkey following growing tension in the Aegean Sea and Ankara’s threats to Cyprus and Greece.

In comments made Tuesday, European Commission spokesperson Margaritis Schinas said that “negative statements that damage good neighborly relations should be avoided, especially on our way to Varna” – a reference to the EU-Turkey summit to be held in the Bulgarian port city on March 26.

Commenting on the midnight incident near Imia, when a Turkish patrol boat rammed a Greek coast guard vessel that was anchored off the uninhabited islet, Schinas said that “the Commission is following developments closely.”