Expansion of territorial waters in the Aegean Sea will be implemented as part of projects to create marine parks And spatial marine planning. He announced this on Friday Greek Foreign Minister Giorgos Gerapetritis.
The statement was made the day after the statements of the Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidanwho stated that “the Aegean issue must be resolved once and for all,” and also a few weeks before the meeting Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis With Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
Speaking in parliament during a discussion of foreign policy issues, the minister emphasized that Greece’s national power has strengthened significantly. As key achievements, he recalled the creation of marine parks, as well as bilateral agreements with Egypt and Italy.
Gerapetritis again rejected the Turkish concept “Blue Motherland”calling it unacceptable, but noted that today Greece better prepared legally and diplomatically than ever before.
He emphasized that the government firmly committed to defending national sovereignty and will not allow retreats, especially noting modernization of defense capabilities countries, including the commissioning of a new frigate “Kimon”.
The minister also indicated that Greece’s position on maritime zones is based on solid legal basissupported by European law. At the same time, he stressed that Athens will continue the dialogue with Ankara, but issues of sovereignty are not subject to discussion and compromise.
Gerapetritis paid special attention to the project electrical connection with Cypruscalling it one of the priorities of Greece’s foreign and energy policy.
Regarding Cyprus settlementthe minister confirmed that negotiations will continue exclusively within the framework UN resolutionsproviding bizonal and bicommunal federation.
He concluded by noting that the recent announcement Prime Minister of Greece for Venezuela was “more advanced” than any other European leader and reflects Athens’ foreign policy based on international law.
Editorial comment
The announcement of expanding territorial waters in the Aegean Sea is not a step or a solution. This is a signal. Moreover, it is addressed to several audiences at once: Ankara, Brussels and the domestic political field.
The formula chosen by Athens is revealing: “through marine parks and spatial planning”. That is, not a sharp unilateral action, but a slow movement, legally taxed on all sides, built into the framework of European law and the environmental agenda. This is a way to expand effective control without causing an immediate crisis.
Against the backdrop of Turkey’s statements about the need to “finally resolve the Aegean issue,” the Greek line looks extremely pragmatic. Athens demonstrates its readiness for dialogue, but at the same time clearly indicates: sovereignty issues are not discussed. This is not a compromise or a concession, but an attempt to fix the status quo on your own terms.
It is also important that the current rhetoric is supported by arguments, and not just words. Agreements with Egypt and Italy, an appeal to European law, strengthening the fleet – all these are elements of one strategy: to create a situation in which any objections from Ankara will look not like a dispute between two countries, but a conflict with the international and European legal framework.
There should be no illusions. Dialogue with Turkey continues not because the parties are closer to an agreement, but because the alternative is a controlled crisis. Neither Athens nor Ankara are interested in it now. The meeting between Mitsotakis and Erdogan is more an attempt to keep tensions within acceptable limits than a step towards a “final solution.”
The minister’s statement is also an internal signal. The authorities are showing that they are not retreating, not “eroding” their positions, and are not exchanging sovereignty for calm. But at the same time, they are avoiding steps that could drag the country into direct escalation.
The result is simple and not too optimistic. The Aegean remains a zone of controlled confrontation. Greece is strengthening its position – legally, diplomatically and militarily. Türkiye does not give up its claims. And the space between “dialogue” and “red lines” remains narrow and potentially explosive.
The expansion of territorial waters, if it happens, will not be a gesture of force, but the result of a long, careful and nervous process. And this is exactly what is happening now.
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