Turkey has been involved in illegal drilling for oil and gas in Cypriot waters for quite some time despite the EU’s repeated calls for it to stop.

European Union Member States have decided to set up a mechanism to impose restrictive measures (sanctions) - such as a travel bans or asset freezing - on individuals or entities involved in the illegal drilling activities.

The EPP Group put the issue on the agenda of the European Parliament plenary in Brussels to protest against this breach of Cypriot and EU sovereignty by Turkey.