Türkiye has firmly rejected Greece's unilateral actions and claims regarding maritime spatial planning (MSP) in the Aegean Sea and Eastern Mediterranean, asserting that these actions will have no legal consequences for Ankara.
In a statement on Wednesday, Türkiye's Foreign Ministry expressed concern that parts of Greece's declared MSP violate Türkiye’s maritime jurisdiction areas. The ministry emphasized that international maritime law encourages cooperation among coastal states, particularly in enclosed or semi-enclosed seas like the Aegean and the Mediterranean, and warned against unilateral actions that could exacerbate tensions.
“Some of the areas specified in the 'Maritime Spatial Plan' declared by Greece within the framework of EU legislation violate Türkiye’s maritime jurisdiction areas,” the ministry said. “These actions, as in the past, will not have any legal consequences for Türkiye today or in the future.”
Türkiye also reiterated its openness to collaboration with Greece in the Aegean Sea, stressing the importance of addressing maritime disputes through a cooperative and inclusive approach based on international law, equity, and good neighborly relations. The statement referenced the Athens Declaration on Friendly Relations and Good Neighborliness, signed on December 7, 2023, which underscores the mutual commitment of both nations to enhance bilateral ties.
Furthermore, Türkiye confirmed that it plans to submit its own Maritime Spatial Plan (MSP) to UNESCO and other relevant United Nations bodies. This move reflects Türkiye’s ongoing efforts to assert its maritime interests in the region while emphasizing the importance of multilateral dialogue in resolving maritime disputes.
The disagreement between the two countries comes amidst broader geopolitical tensions over maritime rights in the Aegean Sea and Eastern Mediterranean, where both nations have competing territorial claims.
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