A document was forwarded by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Giorgos Gerapetritis, with which an answer is given to a question and a request for the deposition of documents addressed to him by the SYRIZA MPs on the subject “did Greece grant sovereign rights to Turkey?” On the occasion of the Kasos crisis”.
The written response is dated 8/14 and was posted yesterday on the Parliament’s website. The written response of the Minister of Foreign Affairs reads as follows:
“The fact that the Greek government has chosen to maintain communication channels with Turkey, in order to avoid the tensions of the past, does not imply any concession regarding our sovereign rights. Greek foreign policy is firmly committed to principles and values aiming at peace, security, the development of good neighborly relations, respect for the sovereignty of states and the resolution of disputes by peaceful means. On the basis of the aforementioned and with international law as its constant compass, Greece is steadily approaching its relations with Turkey. Permission was never requested from the Turkish authorities, nor was there any recognition of Turkey’s sovereign rights in the area in question, and certainly this would not be possible.
Greece has ipso facto and ab initio sovereign rights over the continental shelf, while regarding the delimitation of the continental shelf and the EEZ between Greece and Turkey, our country’s fixed and unchanging position is the application of the relevant provisions of the International Law of the Sea, especially Article 121 of the International Convention on the Law of the Sea which captures customary law and provides for the right of islands to maritime zones.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs unwaveringly ensures the defense of Greek sovereignty and sovereign rights within the framework of international law and always with international legality in mind. Whenever there is a questioning of the sovereignty and sovereign rights of Greece, we proceed with the relevant protests. In this case, the Turkish claims regarding sovereign rights in the wider area of the Eastern Mediterranean are rejected and were answered with a Verbal Communication to the Turkish side. The Italian ship’s search program was carried out on the basis of permits granted by the competent Greek authorities, as it was conducted within national territorial waters and in the Greek Exclusive Economic Zone.
Allegations that a Turkish guide/navigator boarded the Italian ship are unfounded. As I have repeatedly emphasized, it has always been clear that our country’s policy is to demarcate with all its neighbors, always applying the dictates of international law. As of 2020, Greece has already concluded maritime zone demarcation agreements with Italy and EEZ with Egypt, thus giving a clear signal of its determination to fully defend the rights recognized by International Law.
Regarding the demarcation agreement with Egypt, it is recalled that it has already been ratified by law (L. 4717/2020) and has been included in the internal legal order. In this context, therefore, the Italian ship conducted its investigation within the national territorial waters but also in the maritime area of the Exclusive Economic Zone of Greece.
Greece permanently uses the NAVTEX system in accordance with the regulations and recommendations of the IMO and the IHO, according to which a purely technical system, aimed exclusively at the protection of seafarers and the safety of navigation, should not be politicized. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs constantly informs the international community regarding the Greek positions in view of the illegal and unfounded Turkish claims.
We are by no means complacent. On the contrary, we are on full alert for the immediate and effective defense of our country’s security, territorial integrity and sovereign rights, whenever required. Regarding the request to submit documents, the requested documents are beyond the competence of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The SYRIZA MPs, in the question and request for the submission of documents that they addressed to the Minister of Foreign Affairs on August 1, asked the following nine questions:
What did the “cooperation” of the Greek (and the Italian) government consist of with the Turkish government, for which the Turkish side expressed its thanks?
Did the Greek government ask the Turkish government for permission to lay cables in Kasos, accepting Turkey’s maritime jurisdiction zones?
Did the Ministry of Foreign Affairs explicitly answer on the spot that Turkey is violating Greek sovereign rights in the Greek EEZ?
Did the Italian captain or Italy get permission from the Turkish side?
Boarded the Italian ship Turkish guide / navigator?
Has the government, with its passive attitude, abandoned the legal, officially posted on the relevant official UN board, official and internationally demarcated Greek EEZ with the demarcation made with Egypt between the 26th and 28th meridian?
Was there a Greek rescinding NAVTEX, which annulled the irregular Turkish anti-NAVTEX according to which the EEZ of Greece in this area belongs to the competence of Turkey?
Given that since the election of the government of Mr. Mitsotakis, Turkey has escalated the illegal questioning of sovereign rights, the sovereignty of our country, the government intends to abandon the passive attitude, to take measures to denounce Turkey’s attitude, the internationalization of this situation and the imposition of sanctions on Turkey for its flagrant violations of the Law of the Sea and European law?
Is there a specific national strategy to deal with the Turkish challenges that are escalating in the “calm waters of the Aegean”, violating the Declaration of Athens? Finally, we ask that the communication messages exchanged throughout the research voyage by the captain of the Italian IEVOLI Relume be attributed.”
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Table of Contents
Greece-Turkey Relations: Sovereign Rights and Maritime Disputes
The recent exchange between the Greek Minister of Foreign Affairs, Giorgos Gerapetritis, and SYRIZA MPs has brought to the forefront the sensitive issue of sovereign rights and maritime disputes between Greece and Turkey. The written response from the Minister of Foreign Affairs, dated August 14, aimed to address the question of whether Greece has granted sovereign rights to Turkey, specifically in the context of the Kasos crisis.
Greek Sovereign Rights
The Minister of Foreign Affairs emphasized that Greece has never requested permission from the Turkish authorities nor recognized Turkey’s sovereign rights in the area in question. In fact, Greece has ipso facto and ab initio sovereign rights over the continental shelf, and its fixed and unchanging position is to apply the relevant provisions of the International Law of the Sea, particularly Article 121 of the International Convention on the Law of the Sea, which provides for the right of islands to maritime zones.
Maritime Zone Demarcation Agreements
Greece has already concluded maritime zone demarcation agreements with Italy and Egypt, demonstrating its commitment to defending its rights under international law. The demarcation agreement with Egypt, ratified by law (L. 4717/2020), has been included in Greece’s internal legal order. These agreements are crucial in establishing clear boundaries and preventing disputes over maritime areas.
Italian Ship’s Search Program
The Italian ship’s search program was conducted within national territorial waters and the Greek Exclusive Economic Zone, with permits granted by the competent Greek authorities. Allegations that a Turkish guide/navigator boarded the Italian ship are unfounded. Greece has maintained that the Italian ship’s search program was carried out in accordance with international law and without any concession to Turkey’s sovereign rights.
NAVTEX System
Greece permanently uses the NAVTEX system, a purely technical system aimed at protecting seafarers and ensuring the safety of navigation. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs constantly informs the international community regarding Greek positions on maritime disputes, and Greece is committed to defending its sovereignty and sovereign rights within the framework of international law.
Turkey’s Escalating Claims
Since the election of the Greek government in 2020, Turkey has escalated its illegal claims to sovereign rights in the Eastern Mediterranean. Greece has rejected these claims and has consistently applied international law in its dealings with Turkey. The Greek government has made it clear that it will not abandon its passive attitude and will take all necessary measures to defend its country’s security, territorial integrity, and sovereign rights.
Tourism and Cooperation
Despite the tensions between Greece and Turkey, tourism is one of the promising fields of cooperation between the two countries. Facilitated visa procedures for visiting seven Greek islands close to Turkey have been implemented, demonstrating the potential for cooperation in areas of mutual interest [[2]].
Relations between Greece and Turkey
The history of relations between Greece and Turkey dates back to the 1830s, when Greece declared its independence from the Ottoman Empire. Since then, the two countries have had a complex relationship, with periods of cooperation and tension. Today, Greece is committed to maintaining communication channels with Turkey to avoid tensions and to promote peaceful resolution of disputes [[3]].
Conclusion
Greece has clearly stated its position on sovereign rights and maritime disputes with Turkey. The country remains committed to defending its territorial integrity and sovereign rights within the framework of international law. While tensions between Greece and Turkey persist, there are areas of cooperation, such as tourism, that offer opportunities for mutual benefit. As the situation continues to evolve, it is essential to remain informed about the developments in this complex and sensitive region.
Turkey and Greece conflict explained
The Aegean Dispute: Greece’s Sovereign Rights in the Spotlight
The Aegean dispute between Greece and Turkey has been a longstanding issue of contention between the two nations. The recent exchange between the Greek Minister of Foreign Affairs, Giorgos Gerapetritis, and SYRIZA MPs has brought the dispute back into the spotlight, with questions surrounding Greece’s sovereign rights in the region.
Background of the Dispute
The Aegean dispute revolves around issues of sovereignty and related rights in the Aegean Sea <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aegeandispute”>[1[1]. The two littoral states, Greece and Turkey, have legitimate rights and interests in the region, including security, economy, and other concerns [3[3]. The dispute is characterized by an interlocking set of disputes, intertwined with both countries’ perceptions of their sovereignty [2[2].
Greece’s Position on Sovereign Rights
In response to the SYRIZA MPs’ questions, Minister Gerapetritis emphasized that Greece’s commitment to peaceful means and international law guides its relations with Turkey. He reiterated that Greece has ipso facto and ab initio sovereign rights over the continental shelf, and that the country’s fixed and unchanging position is to apply the relevant provisions of the International Law of the Sea <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aegeandispute”>[1[1].
Delimitation of the Continental Shelf and EEZ
The demarcation of the continental shelf and the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) between Greece and Turkey is a key aspect of the dispute. Greece’s position is to apply the relevant provisions of the International Law of the Sea, particularly Article 121 of the International Convention on the Law of the Sea, which provides for the right of islands to maritime zones <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aegeandispute”>[1[1].
Recent Developments and Greece’s Rebuttals
The Minister of Foreign Affairs refuted allegations that Greece granted sovereign rights to Turkey in the wider area of the Eastern Mediterranean. He also denied that the Italian ship’s search program was conducted with permission from the Turkish authorities or that a Turkish guide/navigator boarded the Italian ship.
Greece’s Defense of Sovereign Rights
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has consistently defended Greece’s sovereignty and sovereign rights within the framework of international law and always with international legality in mind. Whenever there is a questioning of Greece’s sovereignty and sovereign rights, the Ministry proceeds with the relevant protests <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aegeandispute”>[1[1].
Conclusion
The Aegean dispute is a complex issue that has been ongoing for decades. Greece’s commitment to peaceful means and international law guides its relations with Turkey, and the country is steadfast in its defense of sovereign rights. As the dispute continues to evolve, it is essential for both nations to engage in open and constructive dialogue to resolve their differences and promote regional stability.
Keywords: Aegean dispute, Greece, Turkey, sovereign rights, continental shelf, EEZ, international law, maritime zones, demarcation agreements.
