Turkey Slams Greek Fishing Ban Maps in Disputed Maritime Areas as Illegal

(MENAFN) Türkiye on Tuesday accused Greece of overstepping its authority by designating fishing restriction zones in parts of the Aegean Sea and Eastern Mediterranean where it holds no legal jurisdiction, describing the action as contrary to international law.

In a formal statement, the Turkish Foreign Ministry said that Greek authorities had issued maps through their fisheries monitoring body, marking off restricted fishing areas that extend beyond Greece’s recognized boundaries.

"Maps that depict non-existent, imaginary maritime boundaries between Türkiye and Greece in the Aegean and the Mediterranean, and that violate Turkish maritime jurisdiction areas, have no legal validity," the ministry said in a statement on its official website.

According to the ministry, any fishing limitations imposed by Greece outside its 6-nautical-mile territorial waters—including areas considered international waters or outside its legal scope—are deemed unacceptable and without effect.

“Türkiye will not accept any unilateral and unlawful measures that may restrict the legitimate activities of Turkish fishermen based on international law and historical rights,” the statement said.

The ministry also reiterated that Türkiye remains committed to addressing disagreements with Greece through dialogue grounded in international law, fairness, and mutual respect, referencing a bilateral declaration signed on Dec. 7, 2023, aimed at fostering friendly relations and good neighborly conduct.

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