Türkiye’s Foreign Ministry issued a statement today addressing Greece’s declaration of Marine Parks in the Aegean and Ionian Seas, emphasizing that such unilateral actions will not have legal consequences for unresolved Aegean issues.

The ministry reiterated its position from an April 9, 2024, statement, which dismissed the legal impact of Greece’s Marine Parks initiative on bilateral disputes. “The issues underlined in the said statement remain valid today,” the ministry noted, stressing that unilateral moves in closed or semi-enclosed seas like the Aegean and Mediterranean should be avoided.

Citing international maritime law, Türkiye called for cooperation between coastal states on environmental issues and expressed readiness to work with Greece, one of the two coastal states in the Aegean. The ministry also cautioned against exploiting environmental protection to influence contentious issues, such as the status of certain islands, islets, and rocks, asserting that such efforts hold no legal weight.

Türkiye announced plans to unveil its own environmental protection projects for its marine areas in the near future. The ministry reaffirmed its commitment to resolving disputes through dialogue and cooperation, in line with the Athens Declaration on Friendly Relations and Good Neighborliness signed on December 7, 2023, which promotes a framework of international law, equity, and good neighborly relations.

The statement underscores Türkiye’s push for a “sincere and comprehensive approach” to strengthen Turkish-Greek ties while addressing longstanding Aegean disputes. (ILKHA)