Turkey has issued a new challenge to Greece over its plan to extend territorial waters in the Aegean Sea to 12 nautical miles, a move supported under international maritime law. The Turkish Ministry of Defense called the Greek statements “unacceptable” and accused Athens of taking unilateral actions that infringe on Turkey’s rights and interests.
In its statement, Ankara emphasized that a “fair, equal, and internationally lawful maritime jurisdiction” can only be achieved through mutual dialogue and good faith. It also reiterated the “Blue Homeland” doctrine, asserting that Turkish Armed Forces will continue to decisively protect all national rights and interests in disputed waters.
The controversy follows remarks by Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, who stressed in an interview that Greece has exercised its right to extend territorial waters in the Ionian Sea and described the 12-mile expansion in the Aegean as an “inalienable and unilateral right” under international law. Mitsotakis stated that Greece does not require approval from any third party to implement this right and will act when conditions are deemed most appropriate.
The statements come ahead of a planned meeting between Mitsotakis and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, expected by mid-February. While the Greek premier highlighted progress in reducing tensions, particularly in airspace violations, he underscored that the key unresolved issue remains the delimitation of maritime zones, exclusive economic zones (EEZ), and the continental shelf in the Aegean and Eastern Mediterranean.
Despite ongoing diplomatic channels and cooperation on tourism and migration issues, the Aegean maritime dispute continues to be the primary point of contention between the two nations, with Ankara signaling it will maintain a firm stance on its perceived rights
