Ankara reportedly intends to draft its own maritime spatial planning map for the “Blue Homeland,” aiming to solidify its claims in the Aegean and the Eastern Mediterranean.

Turkey had previously threatened to draw up its own maritime spatial plan in response to the European Commission’s publication of a working map regarding Greece‘s maritime spatial planning. According to a report by the newspaper Milliyet, Turkey is opting for the median line of the Aegean as a border, claiming one side of the sea.

This reflects Turkey’s longstanding position that islands are not entitled to maritime zones and, therefore, the delimitation of the continental shelf and Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) should be based on the median line between the mainland coasts of Greece and Turkey. In fact, according to the report, a “scientific” map has been drawn up depicting the “borders” of Greece and Turkey in the Aegean, based on the median line between the mainland coasts.

It is noted that this map had not been circulated in the Turkish media, and even Milliyet did not include it in its article, despite referencing it. However, after Greece’s announcement of its Maritime Spatial Planning Map, the article was updated and the map was included.

Nevertheless, Turkish media emphasize that the map does not represent the official position of the Turkish state but rather a scientific and legal interpretation.

The next step involves drafting a corresponding plan for the occupied areas in Cyprus. The map shows an interruption of the notional maritime connection between Crete and Cyprus, precisely where the planned electricity interconnection cable is expected to be installed.

This move by Turkey, however, is unilateral and unrelated to the process of determining the Maritime Spatial Plans of EU member states.