Athens, where Turkey's declaration of two marine parks in the North Aegean and the Mediterranean had a seismic effect, is preparing to take initiative before all international organizations and the European Union (EU) and to send a diplomatic note to Ankara. Ta Nea newspaper claimed that Ankara had given up on "calm waters" in yesterday's headlines with the headlines "The storm is coming" and Kathimerini newspaper with the headlines "Two scenarios after the marine parks". Both newspapers argued that a new storm was approaching in Turkish-Greek relations.
THREE-LEGED PLAN
According to Ta Nea, Athens is preparing a three-pronged strategy against Ankara's moves. In the first stage, Greek authorities will try to refute Ankara's theses from a legal and technical perspective by examining the coordinates in Turkish decrees. The main legal basis of Athens will be the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), to which Turkey is not a party.
THEY WILL APPLY EVERYWHERE
In the second stage, a diplomatic note will be given to Turkey. The issue will be brought to international organizations such as the UN, EU, International Maritime Organization (IMO) and UNESCO. Greece is expected to send an official letter to the UN Secretary General, describing the Turkish decrees as "illegal" and bringing the issue to the EU Foreign Affairs Council. Athens will also argue that Turkish marine parks affect Europe's maritime borders and environmental programs under Natura 2000.
BLOOD PRESSURE MAY INCREASE
In the third leg, the Greek Navy and Coast Guard are planned to continue their activities in the region. It was noted that if Turkish ships try to impose restrictions on Greek or foreign ships in areas claimed to be within the Greek continental shelf, an "appropriate operational response" will be given. It was also warned that there may be tension between Greek fishing boats and the Turkish Coast Guard in the coming period.
SELECTED AREAS STRATEGIC
The strategic importance of the marine parks declared by Turkey was also highlighted in the GREEK press.
* The marine park in the Northern Aegean fits like a wedge between Samothrace and Lemnos. It is claimed that it extends over Greece's continental shelf and potential exclusive economic zone (EEZ) and reaches the borders of Greek territorial waters. The Northern Aegean has high potential in terms of offshore wind energy.
* The marine park in the Mediterranean surrounds the Island of Meis and covers most of the area between Rhodes and Egypt. It is claimed that it almost completely covers the Greek continental shelf, and that with these moves, Turkey is trying to lock the Greek islands into a sea surrounded by Turkish jurisdictions. The region in the Eastern Mediterranean is part of the electricity connection project that will connect Greece and Southern Cyprus to the European energy grid and Israel.
TWO SCENARIO POSSIBILITIES
Kathimerini newspaper wrote that Athens is considering two scenarios regarding Ankara's next moves. According to the first scenario, Türkiye may impose de facto restrictions on activities such as fishing and maritime transportation in the marine parks it has declared. The second scenario is considered a more comprehensive challenge for Greece. Accordingly, Ankara can determine the boundaries of the EEZ and continental shelf by enacting the "Blue Homeland" doctrine and define some regions in the Aegean as "special status" areas.
