An ultranationalist retired admiral, known as the architect of Blue Homeland (Mavi Vatan), an aggressive naval doctrine identified with Turkey’s policy in the Mediterranean, claimed that Turkey has been acting in accordance with the controversial Seville Map, which supports Greek claims in the eastern Mediterranean, in an attempt to foster better relations with the European Union since 2020.
During a YouTube program on September 2, when asked about Turkey’s reduced activity in the eastern Mediterranean compared to previous periods and the increased activity of other countries, retired admiral Cihat Yaycı, who leads the Turkish Maritime and Global Strategies Center, claimed that Turkey, as of December 22, 2020, had not crossed into areas marked as Greek territorial waters on the Seville Map. Displaying a copy of the map, Yaycı asserted that Turkey has implicitly accepted it.
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“… We didn’t recognize this map. I believe that starting from 2020, all our activities were carried out within the boundaries of the Seville Map, possibly to foster good relations with the European Union and to escape EU criticism,” he added.
Yaycı also pointed out that the only exception to applying the Seville Map was the territorial waters between Turkey and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (KKTC), a breakaway state recognized only by Turkey. He said it was made possible through an agreement signed between the two states.
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