Turkey has sharply criticized Greece’s new “Maritime Spatial Planning” (MSP), calling it illegitimate and a breach of Turkish maritime zones. In a statement on April 16th, the Foreign Ministry said, “Some of the areas specified…violate Turkey’s maritime jurisdiction areas in both the Aegean Sea and the Eastern Mediterranean.”
While condemning Athens’ unilateral move, Ankara emphasized diplomacy: “Turkey is always ready to cooperate with Greece in the Aegean Sea.”
Referencing past Greek efforts, Turkey argued they lacked international recognition: “The aforementioned actions and fait accompli attempts…will not have any legal consequences for Turkey.”
Turkey maintains disputes should be resolved through “international law, equity and good neighborliness.”
As a counter, Ankara plans to submit its own MSP to UNESCO and the UN, aiming to assert its maritime claims and respond to what it sees as Greek overreach.
