Turkey has issued a competing NAVTEX challenging Greece’s authority to announce a multinational naval exercise south of Kastellorizo, escalating a dispute over maritime jurisdiction as preparations continue for undersea cable surveys between Crete and Cyprus.
The Turkish notice, issued on Friday morning, declared the Heraklion station unauthorised to issue the relevant announcement and repeated a notification concerning the EUNOMIA 2026 exercise.
The development follows a NAVTEX issued by the Heraklion station on Thursday evening for the exercise, scheduled for 19 October in an area south of Kastellorizo.
Dispute over maritime jurisdiction
According to Greek media reports, Turkey argues that the area falls under the responsibility of the Antalya station.
Athens maintains that the Heraklion station of the Hellenic Navy’s Hydrographic Service is the competent authority, under the International Maritime Organization’s arrangements, for issuing navigational safety notices in the area concerned, which Greece associates with the Athens Flight Information Region and its continental shelf.
The competing notices reflect the wider disagreement between Greece and Turkey over maritime jurisdiction in the eastern Mediterranean.
Research vessel linked to Crete-Cyprus cable project
The area designated for the EUNOMIA exercise is also expected to be crossed by the research vessel Abeille Marengo, once the relevant procedures have been completed and the required NAVTEX issued.
According to an announcement from the Hellenic Coast Guard headquarters, a request has been submitted for an exceptional authorisation for the research vessel to operate within Greek territorial waters.
The vessel is expected to conduct surveys related to the installation of undersea cables along the Crete-Cyprus route.
The project has become a focus of Greek-Turkish tensions, with Ankara disputing aspects of the maritime jurisdiction involved.
Turkish media point to risk of Greek-Turkish confrontation
The Turkish newspaper Hürriyet argued in a front-page report on Friday that France could play a decisive role in preventing a crisis in the eastern Mediterranean.
The report referred to Ankara’s diplomatic outreach to Paris and warned of the risk of Greece and Turkey confronting each other over the dispute.
Turkey maintains that the cable route passes through areas of its own continental shelf and has called on Athens to notify or coordinate with Turkish authorities and obtain the necessary permission, according to the newspaper’s account.
Greece, meanwhile, maintains its position on the authority of its hydrographic station and the maritime areas concerned.
The latest exchange of notices adds to tensions surrounding the planned cable surveys and the competing claims over maritime jurisdiction in the eastern Mediterranean.
Also read: GSI: Greece expected to issue NAVTEX in October
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