President of the European Council Charles Michel told six European news agencies on Friday of his proposal for holding a multilateral conference, with Turkey, on defusing tensions in the eastern Mediterranean and reiterated the "full solidarity" of the European bloc towards Athens.
He added that EU leaders will also decide on a 'whip and carrot' approach concerning Turkey when they meet on September 24, 25.
Elaborating, he said that "we will identify our foreign policy tools, a whip and carrot approach, namely what tools to use to improve the relationship and what tools to use if we are not respected," he said, stressing that "we want to be respected."
Michel said the thorny issue of maritime borders in the eastern Mediterranean, energy, security and migration could be discussed at the upcoming meeting.
"We do not accept unilateral conduct on the part of Turkey that is incompatible with International Law," he noted.