Overview
Turkey criticized Greece’s updated maritime planning map submitted to the EU, reigniting disputes over maritime zones and sovereignty in the Eastern Mediterranean. The Greek MSP map outlines both potential Greek EEZ under national law and areas already defined through agreements with Egypt and Italy, prompting Ankara to reject what it calls an unlawful attempt to legitimize maritime claims via the EU framework.
[1][9]Key Elements of the Map
- The map presents Greece’s potential Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) under Greek domestic law. [1]
- It also delineates EEZ areas established through agreements with Egypt and Italy. [1]
- A note accompanying the map clarifies that the submission comes from Greek authorities and that Greece has not completed its full MSP package despite EU deadlines. [1]
“It is clear that Greece, which continues to ignore the fundamental principles of international maritime law, is trying to enforce its EEZ through the EU by using the MSP map. Our country rejects this illegal fait accompli.”
Turkey’s Response
The Turkish Foreign Ministry criticized Athens, asserting that Greece instrumentalizes the MSP framework to create political faits accomplis in the region and to legitimize maritime claims that Ankara disputes. Turkish officials argued that Greece is attempting to impose an EEZ by leveraging EU processes without bilateral agreement, contravening international law.
[1]Context and Implications
The updated map expands on a version Greece submitted earlier in the year, detailing both the potential EEZ and the zones already agreed with neighboring states. Turkey monitors MSP studies in line with UN recommendations and rejects Greece’s attempts to gain EU recognition of its maritime claims. The dispute underscores long-standing tensions over maritime boundaries in the Aegean and Eastern Mediterranean.
[3][5]“Greece is instrumentalizing the MSP framework to create political faits accomplis in the region.”
Author's Summary
Greece submitted an expanded MSP map to the EU, highlighting a potential EEZ and existing agreements, while Turkey denounces the move as an unlawful attempt to redefine maritime rights without bilateral consensus.
[3][1]