\n<\/p>\n
Speaking in Parliament on Friday in response to a question from Freedom Sailing parliamentary representative Alexandros Kazamias, Gerapetritis revealed that Greece has delivered a formal verbal diplomatic notice to Ankara.<\/p>\n
According to the Foreign Minister, the Greek notification sets out in detail Athens\u2019 objections to the institutionalisation of two proposed Turkish marine parks. Greece argues that the plans conflict with international law and cannot produce legal effects.<\/p>\n
Athens has also informed the relevant European authorities about the issue, Gerapetritis said.<\/p>\n
\u201cFrom the very beginning, the European authorities have been informed,\u201d he said, stressing that European institutions are aware of Greece\u2019s concerns over what Athens regards as a further escalation of tensions by Turkey.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe do not just monitor, we act\u201d<\/p>\n
Gerapetritis rejected criticism that the government is underestimating the seriousness of Turkey\u2019s actions, insisting that Athens is closely monitoring developments while actively implementing its diplomatic strategy.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe do not monitor, we act,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
The Foreign Minister suggested that Turkey\u2019s reactions are partly linked to what he described as Greece\u2019s increasingly active efforts to defend its sovereignty and sovereign rights.<\/p>\n
He also dismissed suggestions that Athens was caught off guard by Turkey\u2019s latest moves concerning maritime areas.<\/p>\n
Gerapetritis said the coordinates included in Turkey\u2019s marine environmental park plans fall outside Greek territorial waters but overlap with areas that Greece considers part of its continental shelf.<\/p>\n
For Athens, he stressed, this raises important questions under international law.<\/p>\n
Athens insists dialogue with Ankara must continue<\/p>\n
Despite the ongoing disagreements between Greece and Turkey, Gerapetritis defended the need to maintain open communication channels with Ankara.<\/p>\n
\u201cEven with those with whom we fundamentally disagree legally, there should be communication,\u201d he said, arguing that dialogue is essential to reducing tensions and preventing disputes from developing into broader crises.<\/p>\n
He rejected the suggestion that maintaining dialogue means Turkey must abandon positions it has held for decades.<\/p>\n
Instead, Gerapetritis said Greece\u2019s strategy is focused on defending the country\u2019s interests while avoiding unnecessary escalation.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe will continue to increase the power of Greece,\u201d he stressed.<\/p>\n
Gerapetritis defends Greece\u2019s ties with Israel<\/p>\n
The parliamentary exchange also addressed Greece\u2019s relationship with Israel.<\/p>\n
Responding to criticism from Kazamias over the government\u2019s international alliances, Gerapetritis strongly defended Athens\u2019 relationship with Israel and questioned whether Greece should change its foreign policy in response to Turkish objections.<\/p>\n
He described such an approach as irresponsible.<\/p>\n
The debate also touched on the recent resignation of Prime Minister\u2019s adviser Sotiris Serbos. Kazamias suggested that the resignation was connected to disagreements over the government\u2019s foreign policy.<\/p>\n
Gerapetritis rejected the allegation, accusing the opposition MP of making unsubstantiated claims in Parliament.<\/p>\n
The confrontation comes as Greek Turkish tensions remain elevated over maritime zones, sovereignty and competing claims and positions in the Aegean and Eastern Mediterranean.<\/p>\n