Greece has formally reminded Turkey that it retains the right to extend its territorial waters to 12 nautical miles, escalating its diplomatic response to Ankara’s maritime claims and the declaration of new marine parks.
The reference to the 12 nautical mile territorial sea was included in a diplomatic demarche delivered by Athens to the Turkish Foreign Ministry.
In the diplomatic note, Greece stated “in a formal and explicit manner” that its right to extend the territorial sea of its islands to 12 nautical miles, in accordance with the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), remains unaffected.
The move sends a clear message to Ankara while also formally recording Greece’s legal position on the long-running dispute over maritime boundaries in the Aegean and Eastern Mediterranean.
Greek officials also consider the diplomatic record important should Greek-Turkish disputes eventually be taken before the International Court of Justice.
Greece and Turkey monitor new maritime flashpoints
Athens is preparing for several potential developments that could increase tensions with Turkey in the coming weeks.
One key issue is the publication of presidential decrees implementing Greece’s Maritime Spatial Planning, which could further clarify Athens’ position on maritime activities and jurisdiction.
Greek authorities are also monitoring the possibility of a Turkish “Blue Homeland” (Mavi Vatan) bill that could seek to impose restrictions on activities beyond Turkey’s territorial waters.
Another potential source of tension is the possible restart of the Greece-Cyprus electricity interconnection project, which has previously attracted strong Turkish objections.
Four scenarios could trigger renewed Greece-Turkey tensions
Athens is also examining several possible scenarios that could lead to a renewed escalation.
These include the return of research activity similar to the 2020 Oruç Reis episode, when Turkish seismic surveys triggered a major confrontation with Greece in the Eastern Mediterranean.
Other scenarios being assessed include the deployment of Turkish fishing fleets in areas claimed by Greece, renewed overflights by Turkish unmanned aerial vehicles, and tensions connected to future deliveries of Israeli defence systems associated with Greece’s Achilles’ Shield programme.
The scenarios are being closely monitored as Athens seeks to prepare for potential challenges without allowing individual incidents to develop into a wider crisis.
Despite the potential flashpoints, the Greek government currently assesses that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan is pursuing a strategy of sustained tension and pressure rather than preparing for an immediate military crisis.
Communication channels between Greece and Turkey remain open.
Recent contacts involving Turkish intelligence chief İbrahim Kalın in Athens are viewed as evidence that dialogue between the two sides continues despite disagreements over maritime rights and territorial waters.
However, a meeting between Erdoğan and Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly is currently considered unlikely.
The explicit reference by Athens to Greece’s 12 nautical mile right nevertheless represents an important diplomatic reminder to Ankara that Greece continues to reserve the right to extend its territorial waters in accordance with international law.
