The European Commission has issued a series of warnings to Turkey over its actions in the Aegean and Eastern Mediterranean, raising concerns about its interference with the Greece-Cyprus electricity interconnector, the Turkish-Libyan maritime agreement and its longstanding threat of war against Greece.

In its latest enlargement report, published on Wednesday (4 November), the Commission acknowledges an overall improvement in Greek-Turkish relations since 2023 but warns that renewed military activity, unresolved maritime disputes and challenges to the sovereignty of EU member states continue to undermine regional stability.

Brussels calls on Ankara to respect international law, refrain from threats and provocations, and demonstrate a clear commitment to resolving disputes peacefully, including through the International Court of Justice in The Hague if necessary.

Renewed airspace violations and Turkey’s threat of war

The report acknowledges that diplomatic contacts between Athens and Ankara have continued and that no unauthorised Turkish drilling operations have taken place in the Eastern Mediterranean during the reporting period.

However, the Commission identifies a deterioration in several areas, particularly the resumption of Turkish military aircraft overflights above Greek islands and a significant increase in violations of Greek national airspace and territorial waters.

Some of the reported overflights involved inhabited islands, with incidents recorded as recently as September 2026.

Particular attention is given to Turkey’s longstanding casus belli, the declaration adopted by the Turkish Grand National Assembly in 1995 threatening war if Greece extends its territorial waters to 12 nautical miles in the Aegean.

The Commission recalls that Article 3 of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) provides for territorial waters extending up to 12 nautical miles and identifies Ankara’s continuing threat as an obstacle to improving bilateral relations.

The report also addresses Turkey’s demands for the demilitarisation of Greek islands, its maritime navigation notices and its wider challenges to Greek sovereignty, sovereign rights and jurisdiction.

The inclusion of the Turkish Blue Homeland doctrine in school textbooks is similarly highlighted as a source of concern.

Turkish-Libyan maritime deal rejected

The Commission reiterates its opposition to the 2019 Turkish-Libyan memorandum defining maritime jurisdiction areas in the Mediterranean.

The agreement was ratified in October 2026 by Libya’s House of Representatives, based in Benghazi, after years of uncertainty over its status.

Brussels maintains that the memorandum infringes the sovereign rights of third countries, is incompatible with the law of the sea and cannot produce legal consequences for other states.

The EU’s position remains unchanged despite the latest developments in Libya, with the agreement continuing to be a major source of tension involving Greece, Turkey and Libya.

Turkey accused of obstructing Greece-Cyprus electricity link

The Great Sea Interconnector (GSI), the planned subsea electricity connection between Greece and Cyprus, is another major point of contention.

The Commission reports that Turkey has continued to obstruct survey activities associated with the project, which is designated an EU Project of Common Interest.

The interference is presented as part of a broader pattern of disputes affecting energy cooperation and maritime activities in the Eastern Mediterranean.

The report also refers to Turkey’s objections to Greece’s deployment of a Patriot air defence battery on the island of Karpathos in response to the Iranian missile threat.

Further tensions arose following the deployment of Greek F-16 fighter jets to Cyprus after a drone attack on British military bases on the island.

According to the Commission’s assessment, such incidents demonstrate how wider regional security crises can quickly affect relations between Athens and Ankara.

Cyprus dispute and Turkey’s two-state position

The Commission also delivers a critical assessment of Turkey’s position on Cyprus.

Ankara continues to refuse recognition of the Republic of Cyprus and maintains its support for a two-state solution, contrary to the relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions.

Brussels reiterates that the Republic of Cyprus is the only internationally recognised state on the island and calls on Turkey to support a fair, comprehensive and lasting settlement within the UN framework.

The report urges Ankara to avoid unilateral actions that could increase tensions or complicate the resumption of negotiations.

Specific attention is given to Varosha, where the Commission demands the reversal of unilateral measures announced in July 2021 and actions undertaken since October 2020, in accordance with UN Security Council Resolutions 550 and 789.

The report also records a July 2026 cooperation memorandum between Turkey and the internationally unrecognised entity in northern Cyprus concerning a subsea natural gas pipeline.

The agreement was concluded without the consent of the Republic of Cyprus.

Additional concerns include Turkey’s increased military presence on the island, drone flights and military exercises in Cypriot maritime zones.

Dialogue continues but fundamental disputes remain

Despite these concerns, the Commission recognises efforts by Greece and Turkey to improve relations since 2023.

These include meetings between foreign ministers, the resumption of political dialogue, confidence-building measures and the sixth High-Level Cooperation Council held in February 2026.

However, the diplomatic rapprochement has not resolved the central disputes between the two countries.

The delimitation of the continental shelf and exclusive economic zones remains outstanding, while Turkey’s positions on the Aegean and Eastern Mediterranean continue to generate concern.

The Commission therefore calls for an unequivocal Turkish commitment to good-neighbourly relations, compliance with international agreements and peaceful dispute resolution.

It explicitly identifies recourse to the International Court of Justice as an option where necessary.

Ankara is also urged to refrain from threats and actions that damage relations with EU member states, normalise its relationship with the Republic of Cyprus and respect the sovereignty and sovereign rights of every member state, including rights relating to maritime resources and exploration.

The report ultimately draws a distinction between improving diplomatic relations and achieving a lasting settlement.

While Brussels welcomes the continuation of dialogue between Athens and Ankara, it makes clear that diplomatic engagement alone is insufficient without concrete respect for international law and the sovereign rights of Greece and Cyprus.

The Commission’s message is that regional stability depends not only on maintaining communication but also on avoiding actions that could trigger renewed confrontation in the Aegean and Eastern Mediterranean.