Just hours after official announcements by Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis regarding the creation of two marine protected areas – one in the Ionian and one in the Aegean, Ankara delivers its response in strong terms.
“Turkey is expected to proceed with declaring its own marine parks, following Greece’s announcement that it plans to create two marine protected areas, one in the Ionian and one in the Aegean Sea,” reports the Anadolu Agency.
Continuing its effort to legitimize Turkey’s disputes over purely Greek areas of the Aegean, “competent sources” tell Anadolu that “the marine parks declared by Greece in the Ionian and Aegean have no legal validity for Turkey, especially in light of the interconnected issues in the Aegean, such as disputed sovereignty over geographical features.”
“Attempt to change the status quo in the Aegean”
The report states that “the first Turkish study for marine spatial planning has already been published, while according to the Turkish Foreign Ministry, Greece’s declaration of ‘marine spatial planning’ is considered a provocation.” The report also notes that “Turkey’s Marine Spatial Planning Map has been internationally registered through the IOC-UNESCO platform.”
“Officials note that Greece’s move is considered an attempt to change the status quo in the Aegean and emphasize the importance of not violating freedom of navigation and other Turkish rights, especially in semi-enclosed seas like the Aegean.”
“No action will go unanswered”
Continuing the provocative “gray zones” strategy, the same sources told Anadolu that Turkey has not accepted, nor will it accept, fait accompli “in disputed geographical points of the Aegean.”
The sources threaten that “any action that could change the legal status in the Aegean or violate freedom of navigation and Turkey’s interests will not go unanswered.”
“Greece’s moves are being closely monitored by Ankara, while competent bodies are examining potential protective measures in other Turkish maritime areas, such as the Aegean, Mediterranean, Black Sea, and Sea of Marmara. According to information, developments may occur soon,” the report notes.
“Officials estimate that the next step will be the declaration of Turkish marine parks,” writes Anadolu.