Turkey has asserted that half of the Aegean Sea falls under its marine influence, intensifying its territorial dispute with Greece over the creation of ocean conservation zones.
Turkey has claimed that half of the Aegean Sea falls within its area of marine influence, escalating a long-standing territorial dispute with Greece concerning the designation of ocean conservation zones. The move comes after Greece announced plans to create marine parks in waters that Turkey also claims.
On Monday, Turkey submitted a maritime spatial plan to UNESCO, outlining areas designated for activities such as fishing, tourism, and renewable energy projects, as well as supporting the creation of marine protection zones. Although the plan does not define an exclusive economic zone for Turkey, the map reflects several of Turkey’s long-standing territorial claims, many of which conflict with those of neighboring Greece.
Greek officials stated that the Turkish map effectively splits the Aegean Sea in half and incorporates the maritime zones of numerous Greek islands into Turkey’s proposed jurisdiction. Deputy Foreign Minister Tasos Chatzivasileiou said, “Ankara's map is not based on any provision of international law and produces no legal effect. It reflects the long-standing Turkish positions but has no legal force. Greece will move [to respond] at all levels.”
The development follows Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis’ recent announcement that legal procedures will begin this month to establish Greece’s first two marine parks in the Ionian Sea and the Southern Cyclades region of the Aegean Sea. According to Greek officials, the Southern Cyclades park will not involve contested areas, while Turkish concerns are more focused on the Dodecanese islands and nearby islets, which were excluded from current Greek plans.
Turkey argues that Greek islands are not entitled to full maritime zones beyond 6 nautical miles, a position that Greece maintains is contrary to international maritime law. In the Eastern Mediterranean, Turkey’s map extends to boundaries defined by a 2020 Turkish-Libyan maritime memorandum, which Athens rejects as illegal and invalid. The Turkish map also highlights areas licensed to the Turkish Petroleum Corporation for exploration.
In April, Greece published its national Maritime Spatial Plan for the Aegean and Eastern Mediterranean, following years of delays that drew criticism from the European Commission. Ankara rejected the Greek plan, claiming it infringes on Turkey’s claimed maritime jurisdiction and criticized what it described as Greece’s unilateral approach.
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