French President Macron urges tough EU stance against Turkish ‘provocations’

French President Macron urges tough EU stance against Turkish ‘provocations’

French President Emmanuel Macron urged fellow European leaders Thursday to stand up to the Turkish government and what he called "unacceptable" provocations as Turkey seeks to expand its energy resources and influence in the eastern Mediterranean.

Leaders of European Union countries that border the Mediterranean Sea were holding an emergency summit in Corsica amid fears of an open conflict with Turkey stemming from mounting tensions over offshore oil and gas drilling. Turkish leaders have lashed out at France and the EU for siding with Greece and Cyprus in the dispute.

"Turkey is no longer a partner in this region," Macron told reporters ahead of the island summit. "We Europeans need to be clear and firm" with the government of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan about its "inadmissible behavior," he said.

Macron didn't elaborate on what specific actions he wants European countries to take, but said they should lay out "red lines" with Turkey and try to restart dialogue.

"We Mediterraneans need to live in peace," he said.

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