The movement of Turkey To publish maps with marine parks in the Aegean and the Eastern Mediterranean, except for Turkish territorial waters, is causing a new round of concern in Athens.
Although expected, This action rejuvenates reflection on Ankara’s expansive aspirations and its revisionist attitude over international law and Greek sovereign rights.
The Turkish response to Greek announcements
Ankara had clearly let it be implied that it would proceed In this move from the very next day of the announcement of the Greek marine parks in the Ionian Sea and the Aegean (June 21). With the publication of the maps, Turkey does not merely “repay” diplomatically, but highlights its permanent positions on non -recognition of sovereign rights of the Greek islands, beyond their territorial waters.
Although Turkish maps do not include rocky islands that Turkey calls ‘gray zones’, Something that could be regarded as an indication of self -restraint, diplomatic sources in Athens warn that it is not excluded that this will happen later if Ankara decides to escalate.
Kastelorizo in the spotlight
The Turkish attitude towards the Kastelorizo complex, which Turkey systematically excludes any marine rights recognition, considering that its geographical location does not justify an EEZ or continental shelf. This move is part of the narrative of “Blue Homeland” and reinstates Ankara’s attempt to create an end.
As diplomatic sources note, “although it is a reaction to the Greek movement to proclaim marine parks, the Turkish side is selectively – and not by accident – where it considers it that it has stronger legal arguments, that is, in Kastelorizo.”
Spatial policy or geopolitical message?
The manager of the Turkish Institute of Dehukam, Mustafa Baskara, Signing the mapping, he argued in an interview with Milliyet that the publication of the maps is part of Turkey’s general spatial planning.
According to him, “the areas imprinted are large in extent of strategic importance and are now under the protection of the Turkish state.” He even pointed out that this does not affect the freedom of navigation.
However, for the Greek side, This argument is rather a pretext for a wider geopolitical strategy. The maps symbolically and diplomatically consolidate Turkish claims, while eroding – gradually but steadily – the international image of the status quo in the Aegean.
Diplomatic concerns and next steps
The first reaction of the Greek Foreign Ministry was clear: “Reflective actions of empty content place the good neighborly relations between the two countries.” Despite the seemingly mild language, it is clear that Athens is closely monitoring developments and preparing for possible subsequent movements on the Ankara side.
After all, the Turkish government It has already left open the possibility of announcing other areas as marine parks, which keeps Greek diplomacy in vigilance. The possibility of expanding Turkish maps to controversial areas, or even the practical implementation of their “protection” in military or legal terms cannot be ruled out.
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Coordination with Egypt in view of developments
Within this context, special importance acquires The forthcoming meeting of Foreign Ministers of Greece and Egypt on August 6 in Athens.
THE George Gerapetritis And his Egyptian counterpart, Bartre Abdelati, already had telephone contact, as part of the constant understanding between the two countries. The agenda includes the issues of bilateral relations, the situation in Gaza and the Middle East, the developments in Libya and – mainly – the geopolitical balances in the Eastern Mediterranean.
Greece is betting firmly in cooperation with countries such as Egypt, with which he has already defined EEZs to form a framework of alliances that deteriorate against the unilateral actions of Ankara.