Türkiye rejects Greece’s maritime plans
Ankara warns Athens against unilateral actions, insists on cooperation under international maritime law
ANKARA, Türkiye (MNTV) — Türkiye has firmly pushed back against Greece’s latest maritime initiative, rejecting Athens’ declaration of a Maritime Spatial Plan (MSP) within the European Union framework as a unilateral move that encroaches on Turkish maritime jurisdiction.
The Turkish Foreign Ministry said that the Greek plan would have “no legal consequences” for Ankara, particularly in contested regions of the Aegean Sea and the Eastern Mediterranean.
The statement marks a new point of friction in the long-standing maritime dispute between the two NATO neighbours, who have seen decades of tension over territorial waters, airspace, and natural resource rights.
According to the ministry, Greece’s MSP includes areas that “violate Türkiye’s maritime jurisdiction,” and such actions undermine the principles of international cooperation that are especially vital in enclosed or semi-enclosed seas like the Aegean and Mediterranean.
“The aforementioned actions and fait accompli attempts, as in the past, will not have any legal consequences for Türkiye today or in the future,” the statement read.
It reiterated that international maritime law encourages collaboration among neighbouring coastal states—especially in matters of environmental protection and sustainable use of marine resources—and that Türkiye remains ready to work with Greece under these norms.
While critical of Greece’s move, Ankara struck a measured tone, reaffirming its willingness to engage in constructive dialogue.
It referred to the Athens Declaration on Friendly Relations and Good Neighborliness, signed by both countries in December 2023, which pledged mutual cooperation and a de-escalation of tensions.
The ministry called for addressing disputes through an “inclusive approach grounded in international law, the principle of equity, and good neighborly relations.”
Türkiye, which has long maintained a different interpretation of maritime boundaries in the region, announced that it would submit its own Maritime Spatial Plan to UNESCO and relevant United Nations bodies.
This move signals Ankara’s intent to internationalise its stance and promote what it calls a more equitable approach to maritime governance.
The standoff reflects broader geopolitical dynamics in the Eastern Mediterranean, where energy exploration rights and maritime borders have drawn sharp divisions among regional players, often involving the European Union, NATO, and neighbouring Middle Eastern countries.
Despite the contentious nature of the latest development, Ankara’s statement leaves room for diplomacy—suggesting that cooperation remains possible, provided unilateralism gives way to mutual engagement.
For now, Türkiye’s message to Greece and the EU is clear: decisions affecting shared waters must be built on consensus, not imposition.
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