Sanctions against Türkiye in relation to illegal test drilling in the eastern Mediterranean

Description of the sanctions

Freezing of assets

All funds and economic resources that are owned, held or controlled by a listed natural or legal person, entity or body must be frozen. Likewise, no funds or economic resources may, directly or indirectly, be made available to those listed.

Listings are made on the basis of the European Council Decision (CFSP) 2019/1894, in accordance with Article 2. Listings may be made of natural or legal persons, entities or bodies that are responsible for – or involved in – drilling activities related to exploration or production of hydrocarbons (including by planning, preparing, taking part in, leading or assisting), or exploitation of hydrocarbons as a result of such activities. Listings may also be made of natural or legal persons who provide financial, technical or material support to such activities. This is assuming that the drilling activities have not been authorised by the Republic of Cyprus, in its territorial water or economic zone, or on its continental shelf. This includes – in cases where the exclusive economic zone or continental shelf has not been demarcated with a state having an opposite coast in accordance with international law – activities that may jeopardise or impede the achievement of a demarcation agreement.

Travel restrictions

The restrictions will be imposed against persons on the basis of the European Council Decision (CFSP) 2019/1894, in accordance with Article 1. Listings may be made of individuals who are responsible for – or involved in – drilling activities related to exploration or production of hydrocarbons (including by planning, preparing, taking part in, leading or assisting), or exploitation of hydrocarbons as a result of such activities. Travel restrictions may also be imposed against persons who provide financial, technical or material support to such activities. This is assuming that the drilling activities have not been authorised by the Republic of Cyprus, in its territorial water or economic zone, or on its continental shelf. This includes – in cases where the exclusive economic zone or continental shelf has not been demarcated with a state having an opposite coast in accordance with international law – activities that may jeopardise or impede the achievement of a demarcation agreement.

Relevant EU documents

The EU’s restrictive measures against Türkiye with respect to illegal drilling in the eastern Mediterranean are regulated by Council Decision (CFSP) 2019/1894 of 11 November 2019. The aspects of the measures pertaining to EU law are regulated by Council Regulation (EU) No 2019/1890.

Please refer to the EU sanctions map and EUR-Lex for updated information about applicable legal instruments.

Competent Swedish authorities

The Government has appointed the Swedish Social Insurance Agency, the Swedish Financial Supervisory Authority and the National Board of Trade as the competent authorities for the examination of various issues related to the restrictive measures against Türkiye in relation to illegal test drilling in the eastern Mediterranean.

The Swedish Social Insurance Agency grants exemptions from the freezing of assets, but not for routine administration (see the Swedish Financial Supervisory Authority).

The Swedish Financial Supervisory Authority receives information about frozen accounts and grants exemptions from the freezing of assets for routine administration.

The National Board of Trade approves permits for exemption from the freezing of assets of non-natural persons (legal persons, entities and bodies), but not for routine administration (see the Swedish Financial Supervisory Authority).

Background to the sanctions

At the beginning of May 2019, Türkiye announced its intention to start test drilling for natural gas in the economic zone of Cyprus and on its continental shelf. In June 2019, the European Council expressed serious concern about Türkiye’s illegal drilling activities and recalled its conclusions of 22 March 2018 strongly condemning Türkiye’s continued illegal activities in the eastern Mediterranean.

On 15 July 2019, the Council adopted conclusions in which it deplored the fact that, despite the Union’s repeated calls for the country to cease its illegal activities in the eastern Mediterranean, Türkiye had continued its drilling activities. The Council reiterated the serious and immediate negative consequences of such illegal acts in all areas of EU-Türkiye relations, and called on Türkiye to refrain from such actions.

In light of Türkiye’s continued illegal drilling activities in the eastern Mediterranean, the Council confirmed its full solidarity with Cyprus on 14 October 2019.

The Council agreed to introduce a framework for restrictive measures against natural and legal persons who are responsible for – or participate in – the illegal drilling activities in the eastern Mediterranean. A decision on restrictive measures was taken through Council Decision (CFSP) 2019/1894 of 11 November 2019.