The extension of territorial waters in the Ionian Sea by Greece to 12 nautical miles reaches up the south of the Peleponnesian Peninsula and does not affect the Aegean Sea in any way.

Turkey has vital rights and interests in the semi-enclosed Aegean Sea, where special geographical circumstances prevail. Turkey’s position that the territorial waters in the Aegean Sea should not be unilaterally extended in a way to restrict the freedom of navigation as well as the access to the high seas of both Turkey and third countries, is well-known by all parties.

Our position remains unchanged.