Greece to brief EU on marine parks maps
Greece will present maps to EU partners showing Turkey's marine parks violate international law as airspace incursions resume in the Aegean.
According to Dora Antoniou writing in Kathimerini (EN), Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis will use comparative maps and supporting documentation to illustrate the legal basis for Greece’s own marine park designations, while highlighting what Greek officials describe as multiple breaches of international maritime law in Ankara’s competing claims.
The briefing materials have been specifically prepared to demonstrate to European allies the contrast between Athens’ adherence to established legal frameworks and Turkey’s unilateral actions. Greece has already lodged a formal diplomatic protest with Ankara over the matter.
Turkish Airspace Violations Resume After Extended Pause
The diplomatic offensive comes as tensions escalate in the eastern Aegean. On Thursday, a Turkish unmanned aerial vehicle penetrated the Athens Flight Information Region and violated Greek national airspace, flying between the islands of Samothraki and Limnos. The incursion prompted Greek authorities to scramble two F-16 fighter jets in response.
Greek defense officials note a concerning uptick in such violations in recent months following an extended period of relative calm. The violations now involve Turkish fighter aircraft, unmanned aerial vehicles, and surveillance drones. In a separate incident, a scheduled commercial flight from Alexandroupoli experienced delays after radar systems detected an unidentified flying object in the area.
Brussels Calls for Respect of Sovereignty
The European Commission has confirmed it is closely tracking developments related to Turkey’s marine park announcements. In response to questions from Brussels-based journalists, Commission representatives emphasized the imperative of respecting international law and pursuing de-escalation to maintain regional stability.
The Commission issued a direct statement on the matter: The European Union expects Turkey to respect the sovereignty and sovereign rights of all EU member-states.
Athens Maintains Dialogue Stance Despite Provocations
Addressing Parliament, Foreign Minister Gerapetritis argued that diplomatic channels must remain open despite the provocations. He characterized Turkey’s reactions as a response to Greece’s legitimate efforts to defend its sovereignty and sovereign rights, while maintaining that continued dialogue represents the best path toward reducing tensions and preventing escalation into crisis.
The foreign minister’s scheduled presentation to EU counterparts next week will mark a significant moment in Greece’s effort to build European consensus around its position on maritime boundaries and sovereign rights in the eastern Mediterranean.
With information from Kathimerini (EN)
