Turkey’s demand for prior authorization and coordination with Ankara regarding the electrical interconnection between Greece, Cyprus, and Israel has been reiterated by Mustafa Başkara, director of the Naval Law Research Center (DEHUKAM) — the institute that drafted Turkey’s Maritime Spatial Planning framework and the Blue Homeland legislation — speaking on CNN Türk. As reported by sigmalive.com, Başkara argued that the route of the Great Sea Interconnector (GSI) passes through areas that Turkey considers part of its continental shelf, and that any activities in those areas must be carried out with Turkey’s consent. He also accused Greece of advancing “maximalist” positions on maritime zones and of violating the demilitarization status of Aegean islands.
«Turkey’s permission required for operations on its continental shelf»
Mustafa Başkara laid out Turkey’s case against the undersea cable, citing the coordinates Ankara submitted to the United Nations in March 2020 as his starting point. He also invoked the 2019 Turkey-Libya memorandum and the delimitation agreement Turkey signed with the breakaway northern Cypriot administration in 2011, arguing that these agreements underpin Turkey’s claims over the maritime zones in question.
“First, let’s start with the area for which Turkey notified the United Nations in March 2020 of the coordinates defining the boundaries of its continental shelf in the Mediterranean. Turkey’s continental shelf boundaries across the entire Mediterranean were indeed submitted to the United Nations in March 2020. That is the area. In fact, this area relates to the delimitation agreement we signed with Libya in 2019. This area has also been formally recorded through the delimitation agreement we signed with the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus in 2011. For any activities to be carried out within these areas, Turkey’s permission is required in order to conduct operations on the Turkish continental shelf. Turkey holds exclusive rights over activities conducted on the seabed. Other states may exercise those rights, but decisions regarding the routing, method, and location of operations in these areas must be made jointly with Turkey, and permission must be secured from Turkey following proper notification.“
The GSI as an alternative to EastMed
The DEHUKAM director drew a direct link between the electrical interconnection project and the EastMed natural gas pipeline, arguing that the undersea cable was promoted as an alternative means of transporting energy from the Eastern Mediterranean to Europe. According to his account, the planned route passes through maritime areas over which Turkey asserts sovereign rights.
“Looking at the current situation, what is the background of the project known as the Great Sea Interconnector? In fact, there had previously been an effort to transport oil and gas resources from the Israeli region to Europe via a pipeline in this area, which we referred to as the EastMed pipeline. As an alternative scenario, the so-called Great Interconnector was designed as a solution through which Israel and the Greek Cypriot Administration of Southern Cyprus could convert the resources of this region into renewable energy and transmit electricity to Europe via cables. A mechanism is being prepared to transfer the electricity generated from activities in this area and from other planned operations via cables to Europe, passing also through the Turkish continental shelf.“
«If permission wasn’t sought, the project simply cannot go ahead»
When asked by the CNN Türk journalist why Greece had not requested permission from Turkey, Başkara insisted that Ankara’s requirement is not directed exclusively at Athens, but at any state planning activities in areas Turkey considers part of its continental shelf. He argued that the coastal state must have a say in the routing of undersea cables and pipelines.
The journalist asked: “Why, then, was permission not sought from Turkey regarding the Turkish continental shelf? What do you believe is the reason behind this?“
Başkara responded: “If it hasn’t been requested until now, then this simply cannot happen. This process does not concern Greece alone. Whoever intends to carry out operations on Turkey’s continental shelf must obtain permission for those operations. That is our expectation. While it is possible for other states to carry out submarine cable and pipeline operations, the coastal state to which the continental shelf belongs has a say in determining the route. This process must be conducted with respect for that right. If the activity is ultimately to take place, it will be subject to the permission granted by Turkey in this regard.“
Accusations of Greek “maximalist” positions
Başkara extended his line of argument to the Aegean, claiming that Turkey automatically holds continental shelf rights there and that Greece, through the maritime zone positions it advocates, is attempting to include within the project’s route areas that Ankara disputes.
“As for the section on this side of the median line, Turkey — if we accept, under international law, that this is our continental shelf — does in fact respect this area. However, Greece, with its maximalist positions…“
At this point, the journalist interjected: “Wants to pass through this area as well.“
Başkara replied: “Of course. It will certainly pass through this area as well. Because this is an area where the coastal state automatically holds rights without any notification being required, our continental shelf rights in the Aegean are also preserved and permanent.“
Allegations over the militarization of Greek islands
In the final segment of the interview, the discussion shifted to the status of the Aegean islands. The DEHUKAM director argued that many Greek islands, including Rhodes, must remain demilitarized, accusing Athens of violating its relevant obligations. He also invoked NATO’s stance on the matter, though no specific Alliance decision was cited in the excerpt.
The journalist referred to the arming of islands with demilitarized status, while Başkara argued: “The Dodecanese, Kastellorizo — in fact, many islands of this region, including Rhodes — should not bear a militarized status. The position regarding islands without military status is very clear, and NATO also maintains its stance on the non-militarized islands in the Aegean Sea. We can say that we observe Turkey to be on the right path, while Greece continues to persistently commit this violation,” he concluded.
