Clement Bon, State Secretary for European Affairs at the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs, stated that Turkey’s actions do not make it a reliable partner
According to TASS, in an interview with Le Journal du Dimanche published on Sunday, Secretary of State for European Affairs at the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs Clément Bon said that Turkey’s actions do not allow it to be considered a reliable partner, but so far there is no unanimous agreement in the European Union on what sanctions may be imposed on that country or its leadership.
“Individual sanctions are known to have a symbolic effect, providing a strong signal. However, economic pressure, which is achieved through sectoral sanctions, is truly effective. At this stage there is no consensus in Europe on this direction”, – he said, adding that Europeans “no longer consider hands-out politics to be the only option for Turkey.
According to the Secretary of State, since October Ankara has been given the opportunity to decide whether it wants to cooperate or chooses the path of aggression.
“Turkey’s policy is fickle, it sends tactical signals to calm us down, but it continues to test us for strength, and Erdogan again made a serious intervention in the democratic life of France on Friday”, – the Foreign Ministry spokesman said. – “Europe has long relied on trust and dialogue with Turkey, but Erdogan’s actions have shown that his country can no longer be considered a reliable partner.”
On Friday, Erdogan called French leader Emmanuel Macron “the scourge of France” and wished its citizens “to be saved from him as soon as possible”.