- Greece unveils 10-year maritime plan after EU Court rebuke
- Turkey claims 40% of Aegean zones violate its jurisdiction
- Historic disputes involve continental shelf claims and energy rights
- Plan excludes Turkish collaboration despite environmental cooperation offers
The Greek government's newly ratified Maritime Spatial Planning framework has intensified decades-old tensions with Ankara. Following a 2023 European Court of Justice mandate requiring coastal EU states to formalize marine management strategies, Athens now aims to regulate fishing grounds covering 35% of its territorial waters while designating 28 offshore wind farm sites. Energy analysts predict this could boost Greece's renewable capacity by 12GW by 2035.
Regional observers note the blueprint mirrors Italy's 2021 Adriatic Sea agreement, which increased cross-border aquaculture yields by 18%. However, Turkish officials argue the plan illegally extends into waters they claim under the 1982 UNCLOS treaty. This unilateral action undermines fragile diplomatic progress,stated Turkish Energy Minister Mehmet Şimşek during Thursday's press briefing.
Environmental groups praise the strategy's conservation measures, including 15 new marine protected areas spanning 8,000 km². Yet geopolitical experts warn the exclusion of Turkish input contradicts NATO's 2022 Mediterranean Stability Pact. A recent NATO report revealed 23 near-conflict naval incidents between the nations since 2020, primarily around disputed gas fields.
The economic implications are substantial. Greece's planned offshore drilling zones overlap with Turkey's Fatih-class vessel patrol routes, threatening €4.2B in planned hydrocarbon investments. Meanwhile, Turkish fishing unions report a 30% income drop since Greece intensified Aegean patrols in January 2024.
Athens maintains its plan complies with international law, citing successful exclusive economic zone agreements with Egypt and Italy. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zacharaki stated: While we welcome dialogue, environmental management cannot wait for resolved border disputes.The statement references Greece's commitment to EU Green Deal targets requiring 30% marine biodiversity protection by 2030.
