Image Credit: REUTERS
Mediterranean Flashpoint as Greece and the UK Protest Turkey’s Maritime Zoning Plan
Greece, supported by the United Kingdom, has officially filed a diplomatic protest against Turkey’s recently released maritime spatial plan, which designates maritime zones near Cyprus and in the eastern Mediterranean. The plan, drafted by Ankara University and submitted to UNESCO, outlines areas for fishing, tourism, scientific research, and energy exploration.
Athens contends that the plan lacks any legal grounding. According to the Greek Foreign Ministry, it “attempts to usurp areas under Greek jurisdiction” and has not been presented to any international body that would confer legal status. Greece has also pledged to pursue appropriate actions in international forums to defend its claimed maritime boundaries.
The protest coincides with Greece’s April submission of its maritime spatial plan to the European Union. That plan faced delays due to geopolitical tensions in the region, prompting criticism from the European Commission. Turkey, however, asserts that its mapping effort was prepared in accordance with European Union, United Nations, and UNCLOS guidelines.
Greece and Turkey, both NATO allies with a long history of maritime boundary disputes, are once again at odds over sovereignty and the rights to valuable offshore oil and gas reserves. The eastern Mediterranean region, particularly around Cyprus, is rich in hydrocarbon deposits and remains a strategic flashpoint for maritime rights and energy security.
Despite the rising tensions, both nations appear committed to maintaining diplomatic dialogue. Athens has indicated that a high-level bilateral meeting will be held in Turkey later this year under existing NATO frameworks. These talks aim to manage the dispute and prevent further escalation.
Greece, with the backing of the UK, has formally challenged Turkey’s maritime zoning plan near Cyprus, declaring it an unlawful encroachment on its territorial waters and urging international action. As both countries maintain diplomatic channels—including a planned summit later this year—the dispute highlights ongoing tensions over sovereignty, energy resources, and alliance cohesion in the eastern Mediterranean.
