Josep Borrell for Financial Times: European Neighbourhood is 'on fire'

(Patria) – The European Union's neighbourhood is 'on fire', stated the bloc's top diplomat Josep Borrell.

The High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security called for a 'strong and united response' from member states.

- In the past 10 months, our neighbourhood has been engulfed in flames, from Libya to Belarus, Borrell said in an interview with the Financial Times published on Sunday. He added that everything has become 'worse than I could have imagined'.

Official Brussels has not recognised the results of the presidential elections in Belarus, thanks to which Alexander Lukashenko has remained in power after 26 years of rule. The EU headquarters has also condemned the violent suppression of peaceful protests in that country and has threatened sanctions; Borrell revealed that EU foreign ministers plan to introduce restrictive measures against Belarusian officials involved in election rigging and violence against demonstrators from September 21.

Already on September 24, Turkey will be on the EU's agenda.

- Tensions in the Eastern Mediterranean between Greece, Turkey, and Cyprus are growing exponentially, and there is a significant risk of confrontation, and not just verbal, Borrell warned.

The tensions mentioned by the EU diplomat have been escalating since Turkey began energy exploration in disputed parts of the Mediterranean Sea.

Greece reacted by mobilising naval and air forces to the disputed area, while France sent military patrols. A few days ago, French President Emmanuel Macron sent an 'unambiguous message of solidarity to Greece and Cyprus' regarding 'unilateral provocations, illegal drilling, and threats to their sovereignty' by Turkey.

He stated that the EU aims to 'restore normal relations with Turkey', as well as establish stability in the region.

Official Ankara called the statement by the French president 'legally unfounded, unrealistic, and prejudiced', and called on Greece to stop 'maximalist claims to maritime borders that contradict international law'.

At the same time, Greece announced on Saturday the procurement of 18 Rafale fighter jets, as well as a plan to increase its military personnel capacity by 15,000 new soldiers in the next 5 years.