Tsipras to ask for the adoption of measures against Turkey

Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras, in coordination with the President of the Republic of Cyprus Nicos Anastasiades, is expected to raise to the European Council the issue of the immediate examination and adoption of measures against Turkey, as long as the neighbouring country insists on its actions in the Eastern Mediterranean, according to government sources.

The proceedings of the European Council are expected to begin at 4:30 pm (Athens time) in Brussels.

Tsipras will stress that it is not just a matter of demonstrating solidarity with Cyprus but also a broader risk prevention strategy that affects the whole of the European Union. Greece and Cyprus will unequivocally condemn Turkey's unlawful actions in the Cyprus Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and the Aegean, highlighting their impact on EU-Turkey relations, following on from the decisions taken by the General Affairs Council of the European Union.

Regarding the Multiannual Financial Framework 2021-2027, Alexis Tsipras is expected to support an ambitious and adequately funded EU budget, which will also act as a redistribution tool for convergence and social cohesion. For this reason, he will note that the financing of new policies for research and innovation or the handling of the refugee crisis should not be at the expense of traditional EU policies - the common agricultural policy and cohesion policy, which are key pillars of the European edifice. To this end, it is necessary to find new European resources in order not to burden citizens.

In addressing climate change, the Greek prime minister is expected to support an ambitious policy to reducing greenhouse gases and increasing the use of renewable sources of energy, aiming to achieving the EU's climate target by 2050 in a socially fair manner.

As regards the deepening of the eurozone, he is expected to stress that the new financial instrument for competitiveness and convergence for the eurozone will be accompanied with sufficient resources to effectively promote economic and social convergence in the euro area. It is important that the scope of this instrument should be extended as much as possible and include a social security system against unemployment.

He will also support the completion of the banking union by creating a European Deposit Guarantee Scheme.

The prime minister's programme in Brussels is as follows (Athens time):

THURSDAY

13.00 Participation in the preparatory session of the Party of European Socialists (PES)

15.00 Arrivals of European leaders for the European Council

16.30 Start of proceedings

20.15 Working dinner

Press conference after working dinner

FRIDAY

09.30 Arrivals of European leaders

10.30 Conference on the euro

13.30 Press conference