The Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement in response to Turkey’s provocative stance on Greece’s spatial plan for renewable energy sources.
Specifically, the statement refers—among other things—to the baseless, groundless, and unacceptable allegations made by the spokesperson for the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs regarding this specific issue, while emphasizing that the sovereignty status in the Aegean is absolutely clear.
ΣΧΕΤΙΚΑ ΑΡΘΡΑ
The statement in detail
“Yesterday’s statement by the spokesperson for the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs regarding the new Special Spatial Framework for Renewable Energy Sources contains a series of baseless, utterly unacceptable, and reprehensible claims.
The repetition of these claims—for the second time in just twelve days, following the corresponding Turkish reaction to the Special Spatial Planning Framework for Tourism— of the same baseless claims demonstrates an obsession with revisionist positions that have no legal basis whatsoever.
The sovereignty regime in the Aegean is absolutely clear. Greek sovereignty is clearly and definitively defined by international treaties and is beyond dispute. Any other approach contravenes international law and will be met with a commensurate response.
Greece has consistently advocated for dialogue and good-neighborly relations with Turkey and remains committed to resolving the sole Greek-Turkish dispute, namely the delimitation of the continental shelf and the Exclusive Economic Zone, in accordance with international law.”
Keceli: It has no legal implications for Turkey
The spokesperson for the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Onju Ketcheli, argued that the new Greek spatial planning framework, which includes areas of the Aegean, has no legal implications for Turkey.
“The Special Spatial Framework for Renewable Energy Sources, which was announced today (August 19) by Greece to cover the Aegean Sea, as with other similar initiatives by Greece, will not have any legal consequences for our country in the context of the interrelated Aegean issues between the two countries, including geographical features whose sovereignty has not been transferred to Greece by international treaties,” Ketçeli notes.
At the same time, Turkey argues that unilateral actions should be avoided in enclosed or semi-enclosed seas, such as the Aegean and the Mediterranean. Citing international maritime law, Ankara notes that this encourages cooperation among coastal states.
“Turkey, as one of the two coastal states of the Aegean Sea, is always ready to cooperate with Greece,” the spokesperson for the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs also stated.
Finally, Ankara reiterated its position in favor of a “sincere and comprehensive approach” to resolving disputes, based on international law, equality, and good neighborly relations, while also referring to the Athens Declaration on Friendly Relations and Good Neighborly Relations of December 7, 2023.
“Turkey maintains its position regarding the need to adopt a sincere and comprehensive approach to resolving issues based on international law, justice, and good neighborly relations, within the framework of the Athens Declaration of December 7, 2023, on Friendly Relations and Good Neighborly Relations,” Ketseli concludes in his statement.
Source: Protothema.gr
