Ankara’s conflict with Athens over hydrocarbon resources in the eastern Mediterranean will be discussed in the European Council meeting at the end of this month.

French Foreign Minister, Jean-Yves Le Drian, in an interview with France’s Inter Radio, spoke about the agenda of the European Council’s meeting that is scheduled for 24-25 September.

The meeting will bring together the prime ministers and presidents of all European Union member countries and “the main topic of the meeting will be Turkey”, said Le Drian. He added: “EU leaders will be discussing whether we should sanction Turkey over its activities in the region”.

Le Drian warned Turkey that a series of measures might be forthcoming: “They have already discussed some possible measures with other foreign ministers in Berlin regarding Turkey. We are not short of options and Erdoğan knows about it”, said Le Drian.

He added that Erdoğan, in trying to hide the real economic situation of the country, is creating a nationalist and Islamist atmosphere in the country to strengthen his support base.