Ankara is set to boost its exports to the European Union as tensions rise over the deployment of Turkish troops to defend the Syrian border.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Tuesday that Ankara would increase imports of goods to the EU and expand exports to other countries as tensions over the Turkish deployment of troops to protect the Syrian-Turkish border rose.

He made the remarks during a meeting with European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso and European Council President Donald Tusk, who have both expressed concerns over the operation.

The EU has imposed sanctions on Turkey for violating a truce in Syria, accusing Ankara of violating the pact and encouraging the Islamic State group to carry out attacks in the country.

The Turkish government denies the accusations.

The military deployment of the Turkish troops, which came as part of the U.S.-led coalition against the Islamic group, drew sharp criticism from U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, who said Tuesday the military move was “inappropriate” and would “not contribute to the cessation of hostilities” in Syria.

The U.K. Foreign Office on Tuesday called the military deployment “unacceptable.”

The EU on Tuesday imposed sanctions against Turkey for failing to adhere to the ceasefire agreement and for failing, despite the U…