See the maps
Announcement With the Greek initiative for marine parks in the Aegean and the Ionian Sea issued its foreign ministry Turkey.
The announcement of the Turkish Foreign Ministry is as follows:
“On July 21, 2025, Greece announced two maritime parks, one in the Aegean Sea and the other in the Ionian Sea.
Immediately after the announcement of this initiative from Greece last year, our ministry issued a statement on April 9, 2024, in which it reiterates that the maritime parks that will be declared in the Aegean will have no legal effect in the context of the interconnected Aegean problems between the two countries. The issues recorded in that statement are still in force today.
Unilateral actions should be avoided in closed or semi -closed seas such as the Aegean and the Mediterranean. International Maritime Law encourages cooperation, including environmental issues, among coastal states in closed or semi -seas. In this context, we would like to recall that Turkey is always ready to work with Greece as one of the two coastal states in the Aegean Sea.
On the other hand, we would like to reiterate on this occasion that the efforts of exploitation of global values, such as the protection of the environment in the context of the Aegean interconnected issues and the status of certain islands, islands and islands whose sovereignty has not been transferred to Greece today.
In the coming days, Turkey will announce its plans to protect the environment in its maritime areas.
Turkey maintains its position that an honest and overall approach to resolve issues on the basis of international law, equality and good neighborhood should be adopted, in the context of the Athens Declaration of Friendly Relations and Good Neighborhood, December 7, 2023, Turkish-Greek relations. “
The Greek response
A response to the Turkish announcement for the new maritime parks was given by the government spokesman, Paul Marinakis, In today’s informing political editors. As he noted, “This announcement is an answer to those who talk about the country’s euphoric policy. The fact that Turkey reacts to reflect on some patriots. “
According to Mr. Marinakis, “We do not accept that there are gray zones in the Aegean. It is a decision with purely environmental criteria and Greece will implement it in full. Greece is not accepted by Greece. We will continue our design as it has begun to be implemented. “
It was preceded by the announcement of the Turkish Foreign Ministry, arguing that “unilateral actions should be avoided in closed or semi -seasy seas such as the Aegean and the Mediterranean.”
“Once again the prime minister proves to be consistent in what he is committed to.”
“These parks will be one of the largest maritime protected areas throughout the Mediterranean and will allow us to achieve the goal of protecting 30% of our territorial waters by 2030, much earlier than planned,” Pavlos Marinakis had previously pointed out.
He also said that “they will also help maintain ecosystems, restore balance and establish a bold new maritime protection model. And perhaps most importantly, these marine zones will prohibit the extremely devastating practice of fishing fishing, while additional measures and restrictions are provided for the effective protection of the most vulnerable habitat and species. “
He added that “the creation of marine parks offers significant advantages over individual protected areas, mainly due to holistic ecological, administrative and socio -economic approach. Their purpose is to maintain unique biodiversity, to protect and restore habitats and to promote education and awareness of maritime nature.
As Kyriakos Mitsotakis pointed out in his announcement, “” in collaboration with local communities, local fishermen, scientists, but also with international partners, we will make these parks examples of what is possible. ” By doing this, Greece can become a voice of the sea – in Europe, and beyond it. Because when we protect our ocean, we protect our own future. “
Answering a question whether other steps will be taken, he said: “This is the first phase of a large venture that concerns areas of the whole Aegean. When the implementation of this stage is completed, the following will follow. “
And he noted: “In the North Aegean there is also the National Marine Park of Alonissos. Once again, the prime minister is consistent in what he is committed to. “