French minister says sanctions against Turkey "on the table"

European leaders would mull sanctions on Turkey over its military campaign in Syria during next week's European Union summit, France's European Affairs Minister Amelie de Montchalin said on Friday.

Turkish Armed Forces' military vehicles including, tanks and armoured vehicles, are being deployed to Syrian border to support the units in Hatay, Turkey on October 10, 2019. [Photo: IC/Anadolu Agency/ABACAPRESS.COM]

"Obviously, EU sanctions against Turkey are on the table. This will be discussed at the European Council next week," de Montchalin told France Inter radio.

"Today, nothing is closed. Everything is debated," she said.

Montchalin said the European powers "will not remain powerless when faced with a situation that is shocking for civilians... and the stability of the region."

On Thursday, the 28-member European bloc, in a joint statement, called on Turkey to cease its military action in northeastern Syria.