The corresponding order No. 271-s-39 of 30.12.2025 was signed by the Deputy Prime Minister, Head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Mihai Popşoi.
The EU Council imposed sanctions against Turkey back in 2019 for illegal, according to Brussels, oil and gas prospecting in the Eastern Mediterranean. These actions by Ankara are opposed by Greece and the Republic of Cyprus. The EU supported its members.
The sanctions include certain restrictions against companies and officials of Turkey related to “illegal actions”. These are mainly sanctions against the state-owned Turkish Petroleum Corporation TPAO (Türkiye Petrolleri Anonim Ortaklığı) and its management. Access to EU funding is also restricted for some Turkish state-owned energy companies.
Brussels is thus trying to force Ankara to abandon unilateral actions and move to a diplomatic solution to the conflict with Greece and Cyprus.
Despite the annual extension of sanctions imposed by the EU, Turkey is confident in the legality of its actions and is not going to give in to Brussels’ pressure. Last time the EU Council extended the sanctions on November 24, 2025.
Initially, the EU authorities threatened to terminate the Customs Union with Turkey, impose large-scale economic sanctions and use “all available instruments” to pressure Ankara. But so far has not resorted to these measures, despite the continuation of active exploration and drilling by Turkey in the Mediterranean Sea.
Moldova’s accession to sanctions against Turkey could lead to a deterioration of relations with one of the country’s key trade and investment partners.
