Greece has described Turkey’s declaration of “national” marine parks as “invalid and lacking legal effect” insofar as they extend into areas outside Turkish jurisdiction and within the Greek continental shelf, according to a formal diplomatic demarche delivered to Ankara.

The demarche was issued in response to both public Turkish statements regarding Special Spatial Planning Frameworks and presidential decisions issued on August 15, declaring two “national” marine parks.

Diplomatic sources said Greece rejects Turkish claims surrounding the issue as arbitrary and without legal foundation. During the delivery of the protest, they said, Turkey’s Foreign Ministry submitted diplomatic notes reiterating positions that Athens had already publicly dismissed.

“The Greek side categorically rejects the Turkish claims as arbitrary and lacking any legal basis,” diplomatic sources said. They added that sovereignty in the Aegean “has been clearly and definitively determined by the relevant international treaty texts.”

The sources also said Greece considers the declaration of “national” marine parks invalid to the extent that they cover areas beyond Turkish jurisdiction and within Greece’s continental shelf.

Athens further signaled that it intends to continue raising the issue with its European and international partners. According to the same sources, Greece will keep highlighting any unilateral action that it believes violates international law and affects its sovereignty and sovereign rights.

The dispute over the marine parks comes as Greece has also raised broader concerns about Turkish actions with its European Union partners.

Speaking at the informal meeting of EU foreign ministers in Ireland on Wednesday, Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis outlined what Greek officials describe as growing challenges in relations with Turkey.

According to informed sources, Gerapetritis pointed to a quantitative and qualitative increase in violations of Greece’s national airspace, including incidents involving armed F-16 fighter jets. He also referred to the recent flight of a Turkish unmanned aerial vehicle near Alexandroupoli airport that was intercepted by two F-16s.

He additionally cited the continued promotion of the “Blue Homeland” doctrine, warning that the introduction of related legislation in the Turkish parliament would signal a desire for further escalation by Ankara.

Source: Ekathimerini.com