For the first time the country’s maritime zones are institutionally organized
The act of setting up the National Spatial Strategy for the Marine Area (ECTH), which specializes and reflects on a map by the country’s maritime planning (IFS), was published today at the initiative of the Ministry of Environment and Energy in cooperation with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
According to the Foreign Ministry in a statement, “this is an important initiative, as for the first time our country is setting the rules for organizing the maritime space.”
Marine spatial planning constitutes a holistic spatial framework and is a prerequisite for the successful development of blue and circular economy, clearly capturing human activities that can be performed in all maritime zones of our country, with respect to the unnecessary need for protection.
“The approach followed during the preparation of the ESDF has often composed social, economic, energy and environmental parameters, in order to serve a series of interconnected goals, such as climate durability of the marine environment, our sustainable tourism and protection of cultural and protection, The exploitation of the country’s energy resources, the aquaculture and the strengthening of cross -border works of common interest. “
It is noted that marine spatial planning takes into account the interactions between land and marine activities and emphasizes the consultation and co -ordination of priorities by region, through the establishment of marine spatial frames.
“With the MScs and the ECTH, the Greek state for the first time defines detailed uses of its maritime zones, implementing the obligation arising from Directive 2014/89/EU and exercising the rights derived from international law,” he concludes.
Following is a RIS Note in the form of questions:
1. What is marine spatial planning?
The marine spatial planning (HSS) captures human activities in all marine zones of our country, with the aim of protecting the environment in them.
At the same time, it determines the compatibility and parallel development of these activities, always aiming at the sustainable development of marine areas and the utilization of maritime resources. The geographical scope of the marine spatial planning was determined in accordance with the current legislation of the European Union and the International Law of the Sea, in particular with the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
This procedure is provided for in Directive 2014/89/EU and in this way the European obligation of our country is fulfilled. The proper transfer of the directive to national law is essential for the development of sustainable blue economy, sustainable management of marine resources and maintaining healthy marine ecosystems and biodiversity under the European Green Agreement.
It is worth noting that this Directive does not affect the sovereign rights and jurisdiction of the Member States on marine waters, which derive from the relevant provisions of international law, in particular from UNCLOS.
2. What is his goal?
The organization of the marine space, the smooth interaction of land and marine activities, with the aim of protecting the environment and sustainable development. During the preparation of the MSS, social, economic, energy and environmental parameters will be taken into account for activities such as:
– The protection of the marine environment from the effects of climate change – among other things – by the definition of marine parks,
– The preservation of our cultural heritage and especially of the nine antiquities,
– Improvement and protection of marine transport,
– Sustainable tourism development,
– The exploitation of the country’s energy resources and in particular the potential natural gas deposits and our offshore wind farms,
– The aquaculture,
– Strengthening the cross-border infrastructure of common interest with other Member States of the European Union and its immediate region.
Marine spatial planning enables the possibility of a coordinated – and not fragmented – demarcation of human activities.
The proper transfer of the directive to national law is essential for the development of sustainable blue economy, sustainable use of marine resources and maintaining healthy marine ecosystems and biodiversity under the European Green Agreement.
Following the strategic priorities set by the Prime Minister in the 9th “Our Ocean Conference”, the design is part of a holistic planning policy of the country in the sea and land, which is progressively implemented by the Greek government.
3. Why is marine spatial planning now deposited?
Marine spatial planning is a road map of our maritime resources. Consequently, its design has been the subject of long consultation with relevant ministries, local authorities, and local communities. The MSS is even more valuable if it is taken into account that our country has the largest coastline in the European Union and most recorded islands.
4. Why was the marine spatial planning split into 4 spatial sections?
For this way, the administrative structure of the respective regions is depicted. The issue of the respective marine spatial framework will follow, as was the case with the regional spatial frameworks (12 of the 13 of the 13 have already been published, and the 13th is also launched).
5. Where is the marine spatial planning published? How will the citizens be informed?
It is published in Government Gazette, as provided in Greece, the European Union is informed and posted on its relevant online platforms. There will also be information actions by the RIS.
6. Is the HSSs of geopolitical significance?
The geographical scope of the maritime spatial planning was determined in accordance with the current legislation of the Union and the International Law of the Sea, in particular, with the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
It is the first time that the EU’s official regulatory text have been imprinted on the boundaries of the Greek continental shelf, that is, the full influence of the mainland and the islands.
Marine spatial planning implements a number of European strategies and is part of the European acquis.
Following is a Foreign Minister’s note in the form of questions:
1. Why is the training and specialization and imprint on a map of marine spatial planning? (TSS)
It is the first time that they have been imprinted on an official EU regulatory text. The ultimate potential boundaries of the Greek continental shelf (that is, the full influence of the mainland and the islands in marine zones).
2. So what does the map imprint?
The marine areas reflected on the map include the Greek -Italian EEZ delineation agreements of 1977 and 2020 and the Greek -Egyptian agreement of 2020, coinciding with the limits arising from Law 4001/2011.
As far as non -demarcated areas are concerned, the midline setting the external boundary of the Greek continental shelf is reflected until the demarcation agreements with adjacent states, whose coasts are adjacent or objects to the Greek coasts, is imprinted.
3. So the map reflects the EEZ of Greece throughout the Greek territory (in the Ionian Sea, in the Aegean and in the Eastern Mediterranean)?
The process of defining the maritime zones has a different object from maritime spatial planning, which relates to the process by which the competent authorities of the Member States analyze and organize human activities in the above maritime areas to achieve ecological, economic and social objectives.
Consequently, the map that captures the Greek maritime spatial planning does not constitute EEZ delineation.
4. Does it capture the expansion of the Greek coastal zone to 12 nautical miles (in the Aegean and in the Eastern Mediterranean)?
The expansion of territorial waters to 12 nautical miles is an inalienable right of our country arising from the United Nations Convention on Sea Law. It is a right to the exercise whose Greece reserves when and as it considers it national interest under the rules arising from international law.
5. How does the training of marine spatial planning be linked to sovereignty and the exercise of sovereign rights?
Maritime spatial planning and map specialization is a map of activities in all maritime zones of the country – not exercising sovereign rights.
Sovereignty is not the object of design. It is pre -existing and not affected by him.
6. Why is the government now depositing maritime spatial planning?
The government is closing pending the past. It defends national interests in practice and in a meaningful way, not with communication flares.
7. The training of the MSS may cause Turkey to react. So you abandon the Greek -Turkish dialogue?
The fact that we solve the pending of the past does not mean that we do not pursue the Greek -Turkish dialogue. The fact that we disagree does not mean that we do not discuss. What we are discussing does not mean that we make discounts from our positions and this is proved in practice. Greece wants a positive climate in relations with Turkey and has been in favor of Greek -Turkish understanding based on international law and good neighborly from the beginning.
In addition, marine spatial planning is about an essential obligation of our country to the EU. resulting from specific European directives and is part of a series of European strategies, such as the Green Agreement and the European Security Strategy Strategy.