Greece rejects Turkish claims in the Aegean Sea. The dispute returns when planning RES

Greece rejected Turkey's position on the status of part of the Aegean Sea, stressing that its sovereignty over the islands was clearly defined in international agreements. This time, the long-term dispute between Athens and Ankara returned in the process of planning investments in renewable energy sources.

Turkey questions Greek plans in the Aegean Sea

The latest dispute began after the entry into force of the new Greek spatial planning rules for renewable energy sources. They specify where wind farms, photovoltaic installations, energy storage and other RES-related investments can be created. A separate regulation concerns Greek islands.

Turkey considered that the new legislation must not affect its position in disputes concerning the Aegean Sea. Ankara It again challenged Greek sovereignty over part of islands and islands, arguing that their membership of Greece was not bound by international agreements.

The Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs rejected these claims, stressing that Greece's sovereignty over the Aegean islands has been clearly and definitively defined in the existing treaties and cannot be disputed again.

Athens recognizes only one dispute with Ankara

Greece's position remains unchanged. According to Athens, the only issue to be resolved between the two countries is the delimitation of the continental shelf and the exclusive economic zones.

Turkey is making the case wider. Disputes concern not only the course of maritime borders, but also territorial waters, airspace and the status of parts of islands and islands in the Aegean Sea.

That's why even decisions on energy whether environmental protection is rapidly gaining political significance. The designation of areas for wind investment, the establishment of a marine park or the adoption of a spatial planning plan means an indication of who is considered to be entitled to take decisions in the area.

Another RES dispute and marine parks

The latest dispute is not isolated. In recent weeks Ankara has also questioned Greek land use plans linked to the development of tourism.

Athens, in turn, criticized the creation of Turkey two marine parks in the Aegean Sea and in the eastern Mediterranean. Greece also considered that they cover areas in which Athens claims its rights under international law.

As a result, issues relating to energy, environmental protection or spatial planning become another field of long-term dispute over sovereignty and maritime rights in the Aegean Sea.

The Aegean Sea continues to divide Athens and Ankara

Greece and Turkey have tried in recent years to improve their relations and reduce the risk of further crises in the Aegean Sea. This does not mean, however, that the disputes that have divided both NATO countries for decades have been resolved.

First of all, the way they return today has changed. Administrative decisions on marine parks are increasingly becoming an inflammatory point instead of another demonstration of force, Energy Or spatial planning. Each party treats them not only as an element of its own economic policy but also as a confirmation of its rights in the Aegean Sea.

Therefore, the current tension around Greek RES planning is not a separate dispute. This is another installment of the multi-annual differences between Athens and Ankara concerning sovereignty and rights in the Aegean Sea, which this time came out on the occasion of energy decisions.