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In a statement issued Monday, Türkiye expressed strong concerns over Greece’s recent declaration of two marine parks in the Aegean and Ionian seas, cautioning against unilateral moves in regions where maritime boundaries remain under dispute.
The Turkish Foreign Ministry underlined that such actions, particularly in closed or semi-enclosed seas like the Aegean and the Mediterranean, could undermine efforts to maintain stability and cooperation.
Referring to Greece’s marine park initiative first announced in 2023, the ministry stressed that it holds no legal effect in light of unresolved disputes in the Aegean. Among these are territorial disagreements over geographical features—such as islands, islets, and rocks—whose sovereignty, according to Türkiye, has not been officially transferred to Greece under international treaties.
The ministry reiterated its earlier stance from April 9, 2024, emphasizing that this position remains unchanged. It argued that attempts to tie environmental protection to sovereignty claims would be ineffective, as they have been in the past.
Underlining international maritime law, the Turkish Foreign Ministry noted that coastal states sharing closed or semi-enclosed seas are encouraged to collaborate, especially on environmental matters. “In this context, we reiterate that Türkiye remains ready to cooperate with Greece, as one of the two coastal states in the Aegean Sea,” the statement read.
Türkiye also announced plans to unveil its own marine environmental protection projects in the coming days, without disclosing further details.
The ministry emphasized that both countries should approach maritime and environmental issues with sincerity and a commitment to international law, fairness, and neighborly relations. This approach, it said, aligns with the Athens Declaration signed on Dec. 7, 2023—a joint commitment by Türkiye and Greece to resolve disputes through dialogue while preserving regional stability.
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