ATHENS — Europe and Greece cannot accept blackmail and unilateral actions by Turkey, the opposition Movement for Change (KINAL) party stressed in a press release on Monday, noting that the recent decisions at the EU Summit "not only failed to bring Turkey into line but have actually emboldened it." KINAL called on the government to put pressure on the EU to finally impose sanctions.

"Turkey is still operating as a troublemaker in the region. It is escalating the illegal actions against our country and Cyprus," it said.

The recent decision of the European Council, for which the prime minister, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, had expressed his deep satisfaction, has served only to embolden Turkey, the party pointed out, adding that Europe and Greece must not tolerate blackmail and unilateral actions, as this would torpedo any attempt at dialogue.

"The only thing Turkey understands is sanctions. It is time for the EU to finally make a decision to adopt sanctions and for the Greek government to push in this direction," it concluded.