Only hours after Greece officially announced the delineation of its continental shelf in an EU regulatory document, defining the country’s Marine Spatial Planning (MSP), including those of the mainland and islands, which affects the Greek Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), Turkey responded by making public its zone map in the Eastern Mediterranean.
According to the state news agency, Anadolu, “Turkey is nearing completion of its Marine Spatial Planning (DMP) initiative—a project launched years ago aimed at safeguarding its rights and interests in surrounding maritime zones, while also ensuring the rational assessment of environmental impacts from future maritime activities.”
The plan, which seeks to optimize the use of marine areas, is being developed with the input of relevant state institutions and authorities, as the post points out.
Turkey’s National Center for the Sea and Maritime Law (DEHUKAM) has published a detailed map outlining zones beyond Turkey’s territorial waters where economic, scientific, and military activities are planned.
The publication stresses that the initiative is being implemented in tandem with the harmonization process with relevant EU maritime legislation. It adds, however, that the plan “does not compromise” Turkey’s stance on protecting its national interests.
The post continues by outlining the goals of the map, which include comprehending the “Mavi Vatan,” known as “Blue Homeland,” a contentious strategic policy adopted by Turkey that has led to tensions with Greece and the Republic of Cyprus regarding its scope and true intent.
The two EU member states argue that Ankara is ignoring Greek and Cypriot sovereignty as well as key statutes of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (a treaty Turkey has never ratified) in the Eastern Mediterranean region. The delineation and demarcation of the sea borders impact the Cypriot and Greek Economic Zone (EEZ) and subsequent exploitation rights in the regions.
