The Turkish Foreign Ministry criticized the decision of Greece on the creation of two marine parks – in the Aegean and Ionian seas.
The official statement of the Turkish Foreign Department emphasizes the need to refrain from unilateral steps in closed or half -closed seas, such as Aegean and Mediterranean.
After Greece announced the intention to create marine parks in the Aegean Sea, in a written statement of April 9, 2024, Turkey emphasized that these initiatives have no legal force and will not affect the disputes related to the Aegean Sea, including the issues of geographical objects that were not transferred by Greece by international agreements, recalled to the Foreign Ministry.
The provisions set forth in that statement remain relevant to this day, the department said. “International marine law encourages cooperation between coastal states, including environmental protection. In this context, Türkiye, as a coastal state of the Aegean Sea, is always ready for cooperation with Greece,” follows from the text.
It is emphasized that attempts to use universal values such as environmental protection, in the context of the territorial disputes and the status of islands, rocks and small islands associated with the Aegean, sovereignty over Greece by international treaties, as before, will remain unsuccessful.
The statement also notes that in the coming days, Türkiye will present projects aimed at protecting the environment in sea zones.
At the same time, it is emphasized that Turkey continues to adhere to the need to adopt a sincere and comprehensive approach to resolving problems with Greece on the basis of international law, justice and good -neighborly – the spirit reflected in the Athenian Declaration of Friendly Relations and Village of December 7, 2023, which both sides strive to support.