World Turkey rejects European Parliament call for sanctions over Cyprus

ANKARA (Reuters) - Turkey on Friday rejected a call by the European Parliament for sanctions against Ankara over President Tayyip Erdogan's recent visit to the breakaway Turkish Cypriot state in north Cyprus, calling the demand "disconnected from the realities".

© Reuters/FRANCOIS LENOIR FILE PHOTO: Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan arrives for a meeting with EU Council President Charles Michel in Brussels

On Thursday, the European Union's parliament agreed a non-binding resolution in support of EU member Cyprus urging EU leaders to "take action and impose tough sanctions" against Turkey, a move likely to bolster support for France's push for sanctions on Ankara at an EU summit next month.

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The European Union will reduce its financial assistance to Turkey and halt high-level talks with the country as part of a set of sanctions over oil and The Council once again called on Turkey to refrain from any drilling activities off the coast of Cyprus and instead, "act in a spirit of good neighbourliness

Tough sanctions against Turkey . A sustainable solution to reunify the island of Cyprus and its people can only be found through dialogue, diplomacy, and As Turkey distances itself more and more from European values and standards, EU- Turkey relations are at a historic low, warns Parliament .

Turkey is at odds with EU members Greece and Cyprus over hydrocarbon exploration in disputed east Mediterranean waters.

Erdogan incensed Cyprus, whose territory covers the southern half of the partitioned Mediterranean island, on Nov. 15 by visiting Varosha, a resort on the island that has been fenced-off and abandoned in no-man's land since 1974.

Ankara supported the partial reopening of Varosha last month in a move criticised by the United States, Greece and Greek Cypriots.

Turkey's behaviour "widening its separation" from EU, Borrell says

Turkey's behaviour "widening its separation" from EU, Borrell says"We consider the recent actions and statements by Turkey related to Cyprus contrary to the United Nations resolutions and further igniting tensions," Borrell told a news conference after a meeting of EU foreign ministers.

Turkey first sent a first drilling ship to anchor off Cyprus in May, a move that was heavily condemned by the EU after pressure from Cyprus and Greece. European leaders also issued a formal statement in June saying Turkey 's drilling is "illegal" and that the bloc's "stands ready to respond appropriately."

Members of the European Parliament have adopted a resolution on Thursday condemning what they called Turkey ’s illegal activities in Cyprus , and While EU member states Germany, Italy, Spain and Hungary have stated a preference for dialogue over sanctions with regards to Turkey , others like

Turkish Foreign Ministry spokesman Hami Aksoy denounced the resolution and accused the European Parliament of being "prejudiced and disconnected from the realities" on Cyprus.

"If this approach and mentality are maintained, it would not be possible for EU bodies to make a constructive contribution to the settlement of the Cyprus issue," Aksoy said.

Cyprus has been divided since a 1974 Turkish invasion after a brief Greek-inspired coup. Only Ankara recognises northern Cyprus as an independent state, but not the internationally recognised Greek Cypriot government to the south.

France has not yet drawn up sanctions against Turkey, but diplomats say any measures would probably target areas of Turkey's economy linked to natural gas exploration in seas off the coast of Cyprus.

(Reporting by Tuvan Gumrukcu; Editing by Dominic Evans and Mark Heinrich)