Türkiye's declaration of "national marine parks" in two regions in the Northern Aegean and Eastern Mediterranean had a wide impact in Greece. While the decisions taken with the signature of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan were published in the Official Gazette, the Greek press scrutinized Ankara's move and the maritime jurisdictions in the Aegean and Eastern Mediterranean.
GREEK PRESS: "ANKARA PURSUES THREE GOALS"
Liberal, one of Greece's leading newspapers, "Turkish parks: What is Ankara doing in the Aegean and Eastern Mediterranean?" He claimed that Türkiye's move has three main goals.
The news said, "Türkiye's decision to declare official marine parks in the Northern Aegean and Eastern Mediterranean has three goals. The first is part of a broader effort to move Ankara's permanent claims from the level of maps and political statements to the level of state and administrative practices. The second goal is to create an administrative entity. A marine park creates a potential area for regulations, environmental monitoring, scientific activities, fishing restrictions and other forms of administrative control. Turkey does not need any approval for this. The third goal is a new starting point for negotiations." "is to create."
The newspaper also claimed that Ankara was trying to support the "Blue Homeland" approach, which it has long put forward with maps, political statements, military activities and research studies, with administrative regulations.
NEW STAGE IN THE "BLUE HOMELAND" CLAIM
According to evaluations in the Greek press, Türkiye's marine parks move is seen as taking the "Blue Homeland" approach to a different dimension.
In the news, it was claimed that Türkiye had previously put forward its theses regarding maritime jurisdiction areas mainly through maps, political statements and military and research activities in the field, and that this approach was aimed to be supported by administrative and legal regulations with marine parks.
Evaluations made in Greece argued that the inclusion of a claim in maps, spatial plans, protected areas, legislation and administrative decisions could create institutional continuity.
However, it was also emphasized that such regulations do not automatically change the status of maritime jurisdiction areas in terms of international law.
STATEMENT FROM THE GREEK MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS
The Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs reacted to Türkiye's declaration of marine parks. Athens argued that Ankara's unilateral declaration of "national marine parks" in areas beyond its jurisdiction would not have legal consequences.
The Greek side stated that according to maritime law, no state can unilaterally create a marine protected area beyond its own national jurisdiction. Athens also claimed that the areas in question extend into Greece's continental shelf.
The Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that Türkiye's decisions cannot change the legal status of maritime zones and cannot affect Greece's sovereign rights.
Athens argued that unilateral steps regarding the maritime regime in the Aegean and Eastern Mediterranean negatively affected the relations between the two countries.
"SURPRISE" COMMENT ON Türkiye'S MOVE
Athens-based Banking News wrote in its news titled "Türkiye's move was a surprise: Greece was left in a difficult situation" that Ankara's decision was unexpected for Greece.
The news said, "The marine park move from Ankara has caused a new setback in Turkish-Greek relations. This decision, which came as a complete surprise to Athens, will further complicate the seas."
Some comments in Greece argued that Türkiye's move should not be evaluated only within the scope of environmental policy. It was claimed that the decision was part of the discussion on broader maritime jurisdiction areas in the Aegean and Eastern Mediterranean.
"A NEW STARTING POINT FOR NEGOTIATIONS"
Analyzes in the Greek press stated that Türkiye's move was also important for possible negotiations.
The main disagreements between Ankara and Athens are the continental shelf and the delimitation of the exclusive economic zone. The parties have different views on the impact of the Greek islands on maritime jurisdictions and on what principles the delimitation should be made.
It was claimed in the Greek press that Türkiye aims to enter future negotiations by supporting its theses with more official practices through administrative regulations covering marine parks.
"COOPERATION SHOULD BE MADE WITH ANKARA"
Greece-based Militaire asked: "What can Greece do in the face of Türkiye's move?" He argued that Athens should not be content with just making a statement.
