The EU warned Turkey against threats and actions that could damage relations with Greece and Cyprus, urging Ankara to respect their sovereignty in a report published Wednesday. The European Commission’s annual assessment cited renewed flights by Turkish military aircraft over Greek islands, maritime disputes and Turkey’s continued refusal to recognize Cyprus.
The report said Turkey’s 1995 declaration treating a Greek extension of territorial waters in the Aegean as grounds for war remains in force. Greece could extend its waters to 12 nautical miles under the U.N. Convention on the Law of the Sea, a possibility that continues to strain relations.
Brussels also reported a significant rise in violations of Greek airspace and territorial waters, including flights over inhabited islands. It said Turkish claims that some Greek islands should be demilitarized implicitly challenge Greek sovereignty, while Ankara’s “Blue Homeland” doctrine in school textbooks risks further complicating talks.
EU warns Turkey as threats involving Greece and Cyprus complicate talks
Turkey declared two marine parks in August that extend mainly beyond its territorial waters, the Commission said. Ankara has also objected to three Greek marine parks established within Greek waters and challenged Athens’ maritime planning measures.
EU report hammers Ankara over Cyprus blockade and stalled accession
A hard-hitting Commission report has called on Turkey to reaffirm its commitment to negotiations on the Cyprus issue, while painting a negative picture of Ankara’s EU accession prospects. pic.twitter.com/lHM6IGOUCw
— qwerty (@qwerty14117587) November 4, 2026
On Cyprus, the report criticized Ankara for promoting a two-state settlement despite U.N. Security Council resolutions and refusing to recognize the Republic of Cyprus. It cited continuing Turkish military exercises in Cypriot maritime zones and drone flights in its airspace.
In July, Turkey signed an agreement with the Turkish Cypriot administration in the island’s north to develop an undersea gas pipeline without the Cypriot government’s consent, the report said. The Commission also demanded that Ankara reverse steps to reopen the fenced-off area of Varosha, citing U.N. resolutions.
The assessment said Turkey continued to obstruct surveys for the Great Sea Interconnector, an EU-backed electricity project. It also noted reports of harassment of Cypriot fishing boats and illegal fishing activity.
Libya maritime deal adds to eastern Mediterranean concerns
In October, eastern Libya’s parliament ratified a 2019 maritime agreement with Turkey. The Commission said the pact violates the sovereign rights of other countries and reiterated the EU position that it is “null and void” and cannot create legal consequences for third states.
The report nevertheless acknowledged that relations between Turkey and Greece have generally improved since 2023 and that no unauthorized drilling took place during the period reviewed. Both sides maintained political dialogue and military confidence-building contacts.
Still, the Commission urged Turkey to settle disputes peacefully, potentially through the International Court of Justice. It linked better ties with Ankara to progress on Cyprus talks, while Turkey’s EU membership negotiations have remained stalled since 2018.
