Greece has called for European Union sanctions on Turkey amid continuing tensions in the Eastern Mediterranean, ekathimerini reported.

“I am waiting with great interest for Josep Borrell’s announcement on the options for sanctions on Turkey,” Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias said of the EU’s foreign policy chief ahead of an informal meeting of the bloc’s foreign ministers in Berlin.

“We consider this an absolute necessity in order to achieve a de-escalation in the Mediterranean,” he said.

However, Germany is reportedly concerned that the imposition of sanctions on Turkey will undermine efforts to reach an understanding with Ankara. Many EU governments believe that pressure on Turkey will only strengthen its position.

“This makes it difficult to impose sanctions,” the source said.