It has been reported that Greece is evaluating new diplomatic steps against Ankara following the two national marine parks Turkey announced around the Northeast Aegean and Meis (Kastellorizo). According to a report by the newspaper Kathimerini, the Athens administration believes that the period of relative calm in Turkey-Greece relations has come to an end.
The report stated that the Greek government characterizes Turkey's decisions as "illegal" and is working on options that could limit progress in Turkey-European Union relations. Among these topics, the modernization of the Customs Union, which Turkey attaches importance to, and the visa liberalization process stand out.
In assessments based on Greek officials, it was stated that high-level contacts between the two countries have been effectively suspended. In this context, it was expressed that the possibility of a meeting between President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis during the United Nations General Assembly to be held in New York next month is considered low.
It was also noted that expectations for a possible contact at the level of foreign ministers have weakened. It was suggested that Athens might also take a more distant stance on processes related to Turkey's role as an energy hub between Europe and the South Caucasus and Central Asia.
Kathimerini's report also stated that one of the options Greece is evaluating is the step of extending its territorial waters to 12 nautical miles south of Crete. It is assessed that these topics could make the diplomatic agenda on the Turkey-Greece line more tense in the coming period.
News Source: 12punto
