Tensions between Athens and Ankara escalate as Turkey submits a controversial maritime map to UNESCO, in response to Greece’s completion of its National Maritime Spatial Plan (ΘΧΣ). While the Turkish map has not yet been officially filed with the United Nations, it marks a significant and provocative step in Turkey’s maritime strategy.
The map, produced by Ankara University, reflects several long-standing Turkish positions- most notably, the “median line” concept, which cuts through the centre of the Aegean Sea, ignoring the territorial influence of Greek islands beyond their 6 nautical mile territorial waters.
What the map shows
The red line on the map begins at the Evros River border and runs across the northern and southern Aegean, positioning itself as Turkey’s interpretation of an equitable maritime boundary between mainland Greece and Turkey.
In the Eastern Mediterranean, the map includes shaded diagonal lines marking hydrocarbon exploration licences issued by the Turkish Petroleum Corporation (TPAO). Areas highlighted in pink represent permanent military exercise zones declared by Turkey.
A black line running north of Crete, extending toward the Dardanelles, is labelled as a “cable” route through international waters.
Greece’s position
The move is seen as a direct challenge to Greece, which recently finalised its national maritime spatial planning strategy. Greece’s official map, submitted to the European Commission and the EU, outlines the jurisdictional boundaries of its maritime zones in both the Aegean and the Eastern Mediterranean, reflecting Athens’ legal stance.
Turkey had objected from the outset, criticising Greece’s efforts to define zones of human activity in the maritime domain, particularly where maritime boundaries remain disputed.
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