Turkey is reacting to Greece’s new Special Spatial Planning Framework for Renewable Energy Sources, which came into effect today through a ministerial decision. The new Turkish provocation comes just a few days after Ankara’s decision to declare two “national marine parks” in the Aegean and Eastern Mediterranean, a move that prompted a response from Athens.

Against the backdrop of this new source of tension in the Aegean, Turkish Foreign Ministry spokesperson Öncü Keçeli argued that the new Greek spatial planning framework, which also includes areas of the Aegean, creates no legal consequences for Turkey.

“This and similar initiatives will not affect Turkey’s legal position on issues concerning the Aegean,” Keçeli said, reiterating Ankara’s longstanding position.

At the same time, Turkey maintains 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 it encourages cooperation between coastal states.

“Turkey, as one of the two coastal states of the Aegean Sea, is always ready to cooperate with Greece,” the Turkish Foreign Ministry spokesperson said.

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, also referring to the Athens Declaration for Friendly Relations and Good-Neighbourliness of December 7, 2023.