Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Keçeli issues sharp response to Greece

Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Öncü Keçeli has issued a sharp response to the updated map of Greece featured on the European Commission’s Maritime Spatial Planning (MSP) platform. Keçeli stated that Greece is violating Turkey's maritime jurisdiction areas and emphasized that this map is "illegal."

TURKEY REJECTS GREECE'S MSP MAP

In a post on the US-based social media platform X, Keçeli stated that Greece's MSP map violates Turkey's maritime jurisdiction areas. He further expressed that Greece, by infringing upon Turkey's rights through this map, is attempting to force acceptance of its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) claims via the EU through an initiative that contradicts international law. Keçeli declared that Turkey firmly opposes this and "rejects this illegal attempt at a fait accompli."

GREECE'S EXCLUSIVE ECONOMIC ZONE CLAIM

Keçeli emphasized that Greece is attempting to impose its EEZ claims in the Eastern Mediterranean and the Aegean Sea through the EU. Stating that these efforts disregard the fundamental principles of international maritime law, Keçeli noted that they do not accept Greece's claims regarding regions located within Turkey's maritime jurisdiction. Keçeli stated that Greece is attempting to legitimize an EEZ it has not officially declared by including it on the MSP map, and reiterated that Turkey rejects this initiative.

TURKEY'S LEGAL POSITION IS CLEAR

Recalling Turkey's legal position regarding the outer limits of its continental shelf in the Eastern Mediterranean, which was submitted to the United Nations (UN) on March 18, 2020, Keçeli said, "The so-called EEZ on Greece's map is located within the Turkish continental shelf." In line with Turkey's legal stance reported to the UN, he stated that this map, presented unilaterally by Greece, is contrary to international law.

UNILATERAL STEPS CONTRARY TO INTERNATIONAL LAW

Keçeli described Greece's efforts to legitimize its EEZ projections and continental shelf delimitations by adding them to the MSP map as "doomed to failure." Stating that such unilateral steps are contrary to international law, Keçeli once again emphasized that Turkey rejects these initiatives.

News Source: 12punto