OREANDA-NEWS. Northern Macedonia, Montenegro, Albania, Iceland and Armenia joined the EU sanctions against Turkey for its drilling operations in the exclusive economic zone of the Republic of Cyprus. This is stated in a statement by the head of EU diplomacy Josep Borrel, circulated on Tuesday in Brussels.

“Candidate countries (for EU accession) The Republic of Northern Macedonia, Montenegro and Albania, part of the European Economic Area of ​​Iceland, as well as Armenia will join this decision of the Council. They will ensure that their national policies comply with the decision of the Council. The European Union takes note this commitment and welcomes it", noted in it.

The European Union at the end of February expanded its sanctions against Turkey for its drilling operations in the IEE of the Republic of Cyprus. In September, the island state government signed an agreement with the French company Total and the Italian company Eni to develop the 7th sector of the field offshore Cyprus. However, in early October, Turkey sent its own drilling vessel to the area, accompanied by warships.