Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis’ latest comments on Greece’s right to extend its territorial waters to 12 nautical miles have become a major topic in Turkish media, with analysts recalling Ankara’s longstanding casus belli declaration over the issue.
Speaking at a press conference in Thessaloniki on Sunday, Mitsotakis reiterated that Greece retains the right to extend its territorial waters to 12 nautical miles in accordance with international law.
The Prime Minister said Greece would decide when and how to exercise that right, stressing that the timing would be determined by Athens.
“Greece retains the right to the 12 miles,” Mitsotakis said, adding that Greece reserves the right to proceed “whenever and however it deems it to be the most appropriate timing.”
Mitsotakis: Greece and Turkey must keep communication channels open
Mitsotakis also stressed that Greece continues to seek good relations with Turkey despite ongoing disagreements between the two countries.
He said the Athens Declaration on Friendly Relations remains valid and emphasized the importance of maintaining open channels of communication.
According to the Greek Prime Minister, the main unresolved issue between Greece and Turkey remains the delimitation of maritime zones in the Aegean and the Eastern Mediterranean.
He also referred to Greece’s marine parks, marine spatial planning and hydrocarbon exploration initiatives, describing them as practical expressions of the country’s sovereign rights.
Turkey recalls its casus belli over 12 nautical miles
Mitsotakis’ remarks received significant attention in Turkish media, where analysts recalled Turkey’s 1995 parliamentary declaration regarding a possible Greek extension of territorial waters in the Aegean.
The declaration has become known as Turkey’s casus belli, or “cause for war,” warning that a unilateral extension of Greece’s territorial waters beyond six nautical miles in the Aegean could trigger a military response.
Turkish commentary again focused on the potential consequences of Greece exercising its right to extend its territorial waters.
One analysis cited by Turkish media warned:
“If Greece goes to 12 miles, there is a decision on the cause of war (casus belli). Our fleet will go out to the Aegean.”
Greece maintains its position on territorial waters
The latest exchange highlights the continuing sensitivity surrounding Greece’s 12 nautical mile territorial waters, an issue that has remained at the centre of Greek Turkish tensions for decades.
Athens maintains that Greece has the right to extend its territorial sea in accordance with international law, while Ankara has repeatedly opposed such an extension in the Aegean.
Mitsotakis’ latest comments indicate that Greece continues to regard the 12 nautical mile option as an existing sovereign right, while leaving the timing of any potential decision to the Greek government.
The issue comes as Greece and Turkey continue efforts to maintain dialogue while managing longstanding disagreements over the Aegean Sea, maritime boundaries, territorial waters and the Eastern Mediterranean.
