'Continental shelf' statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Quick Look
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that a French-flagged ship intends to conduct unauthorized research in Türkiye's continental shelf, and announced that the necessary permit processes for this activity have not been completed and that sovereign rights will be protected.
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Why It Matters
Türkiye notified the continental shelf boundaries to the United Nations on March 18, 2020.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs: It appears that a French-flagged ship intends to carry out an illegal marine scientific research activity aimed at laying unauthorized cables within our continental shelf, the external boundaries of which we notified to the United Nations on March 18, 2020.
Unauthorized navigation warning announcements issued by Greece and Greek Cypriot Administration for this purpose have been canceled by our country. The process regarding the consent required to be obtained from our country in accordance with the established provisions of international maritime law for the part of the activity that the ship in question plans to carry out within the borders of our continental shelf has not yet been completed.
We are fully determined to protect our sovereign rights arising from international law, and we will continue to adopt an approach based on cooperation, dialogue and coordination in the region.
Open Questions
- Whether the ship will continue its operations
- Whether a solution can be achieved through diplomatic channels




