Turkish aggressiveness and developments in Cyprus’ Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), EU-Turkey relations, the FYROM naming issue, and Greek-Albanian relations are the topics that Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras will discuss in meetings with other leaders, on the sidelines of today’s informal EU summit.
After his arrival in Brussels on Thursday evening, Tsipras already met with Cyprus’ President Nikos Anastasiadis, to discuss heightened Turkish hostile acts in the Aegean and the Mediterranean.
Anastasiadis will brief the summit on the latest developments of Cyprus’ EEZ.
Tsipras is also expected to address EU leaders on that issue, to express support for Cyprus’ handling of Turkey’s move to block oil and gas drilling, and to underline the EU’s responsibility to protect Cyprus’ sovereign rights.
Tsipras will also brief his colleagues on Turkey’s aggressive posture in the Aegean, and touch upon EU-Turkey relations.
The main focus of the summit, however, will be the EU’s budgetary framework after 2020, with the Commission pressing hard for a rapid agreement on priorities and funding.
Tsipras and Anastasiadis together will be holding trilateral meetings with French President Emmnauel Macron and Italian PM Paolo Gentiloni, where the focus is expected to be Turkey’s moves to annul Cyprus’ energy programme.
Tsipras will also be holding bilateral meetings with German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borisov, whose country holds the rotating EU presidency.
The Greek PM has also scheduled meetings with European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker and EU Foreign Policy chief Federica Mogherini, to discuss ties with Turkey, FYROM, and Albania.
Upon his return to Athens Tsipras will hold talks on 24 February with a visiting US Congressional Delegation, including Senator Lindsey Graham.
