French President Emmanuel Macron called for a united European stance against Turkey's “unacceptable” behaviour as it encroached on its Mediterranean neighbours.
Tension is high in the Eastern Mediterranean over Turkey's oil prospecting and naval expansion in waters claimed by Cyprus and Greece.
“Turkey is no longer a partner in this region,” Mr Macron said before a meeting of the seven European countries in the Mediterranean – France, Italy, Malta, Portugal, Spain, Greece and Cyprus.
"We Europeans need to be clear and firm with the government of President [Recep Tayyip] Erdogan, which today is behaving in an unacceptable manner."
Mr Macron said Europe should draw red lines for Turkey and try to restart dialogue.
“We Mediterraneans need to live in peace," he said.
"Our goal is to avoid all escalation but avoiding escalation should not mean passiveness or acceptance. It is up to Turkey to clarify its intentions.”
Turkey's Foreign Ministry criticised Mr Macron and accused him of arrogance.
“It is not for Macron to determine the maritime jurisdiction of any country in the Mediterranean or any other geography,” the ministry said.
European Council president Charles Michel will also travel to Greece, Cyprus and Malta next week for talks with senior figures.
Countries under pressure from Mr Erdogan's expansionist Blue Homeland policies have sought backing from the EU.
Writing in The Times newspaper, Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis on Thursday called for European sanctions against Turkey for its aggression in the Mediterranean.
"As Greece has formed strong partnerships with countries such as Israel, Egypt and the UAE, Turkey has acted alone, posturing in the Eastern Mediterranean, interfering in Syria and Libya, and openly supporting Hamas," Mr Mitsotakis wrote.
"France, which has vital national interests in the Mediterranean, has stood by us."
France has been particularly critical of Turkey and urged the EU to go much farther.
Last month Turkey sent an exploration vessel backed by military frigates to waters between Greece and Cyprus, which led Athens to respond with naval exercises as a warning.
While there have been calls for dialogue, sanctions against Turkey have also been requested.
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President Recep Tayyip Erdogan takes part in a video conference with Turkish drilling vessel 'Fatih' before announcing the biggest natural gas discovery in history, in Istanbul, Turkey. EPA -
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan takes part in a video conference with Turkish drilling vessel 'Fatih' before announcing the biggest natural gas discovery in history, in Istanbul, Turkey. EPA -
Turkish Finance Minister Berat Albayrak and Energy Minister Fatih Donmez pose with members of Turkish Petroleum (TPAO) on the deck of drilling vessel Fatih in the western Black Sea, off Turkey. REUTERS -
Turkish Finance Minister Berat Albayrak and Energy Minister Fatih Donmez pose on the deck of drilling vessel 'Fatih' in the western Black Sea, off Turkey. Reuters -
The Turkish drilling ship, 'Fatih', had been carrying out exploration operations in the Tuna-1 sector in the western Black Sea for the past month. Reuters -
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said the natural gas reserve, at 320 billion cubic metres, is the biggest in Turkish history. EPA -
Turkey's President Tayyip Erdogan addresses the nation. Reuters -
Turkey aims to bring the find to use in 2023 and to become a net energy exporter, Mr Erdogan said. EPA -
The announcement comes as tensions between Turkey and Greece, and EU nations, are running high over oil and gas exploration in disputed waters in the eastern Mediterranean. Reuters -
Mr Erdogan listens to Finance Minister Berat Albayrak and Energy Minister Fatih Donmez on a live video feed about the find. Reuters -
People watch the TV at a coffee house while Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announces the biggest natural gas discovery in history in Istanbul, Turkey. EPA -
People watch the at a cafe TV while Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announces the biggest natural gas discovery in history in Istanbul, Turkey. EPA
On Thursday, Greece’s deputy foreign minister Miltiadis Varvitsiotis told European Parliament members that economic measures needed to be considered if Turkey did not remove its military vessels and gas-drilling ships from waters off Cyprus.
"The sanctions should put this pressure, to be severe, for a limited time but severe, to send the message that Europe is here to negotiate but is also here to defend its values," Mr Varvitsiotis told the parliament’s foreign affairs committee.
On Wednesday, Mr Macron said the Mediterranean should be a place of culture and knowledge, as he lamented the political, energy and religious conflicts taking place.
A special summit of EU leaders will be held on September 24 and 25 to discuss the dispute.
