Turkey’s Foreign Ministry has issued a new statement attacking Greece, this time targeting the fishing zone maps that Greece has published.

Turkey expressed strong opposition to the maps posted for both the Aegean and the Mediterranean, arguing that they cover areas over which Greece has no jurisdiction and which extend beyond 6 nautical miles.

The full statement reads as follows:

“The official website of the Greek Fisheries Inspection Authority reveals that Greece has established fishing bans in areas of the Aegean and Eastern Mediterranean where it has no jurisdiction, and has published various maps that contradict international law.

The maps that draw imaginary maritime boundaries between Turkey and Greece in the Aegean and the Mediterranean, and which violate Turkish maritime jurisdiction in these areas, are null and void.

The illegal restrictions imposed by Greece on fishing activities beyond its 6-nautical-mile territorial waters, in areas and maritime zones where it has no jurisdiction, as well as in international waters, are likewise null, void, and without effect for Turkey.

Turkey maintains its position that a sincere and comprehensive approach should be adopted to resolve outstanding issues on the basis of international law, equity, and good neighbourliness, within the framework of the ‘Athens Declaration on Good Neighbourly Relations and Friendship’ of 7 December 2023.”