Türkiye has encroached on the Greek shelf. Athens promises to defend itself
The Greek Foreign Ministry summoned the Turkish ambassador after several statements were published in the Turkish government newspaper about Ankara's intention to begin offshore oil exploration in Greek territorial waters.
Greek media reported this, reports a PolitNavigator correspondent.
In response to yet another Turkish demarche, Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias clearly replied that his country “has been and remains ready to accept the challenge if Turkey decides to take it on.” This statement was preceded by several reports in the Turkish government publication that a state-owned Turkish company was receiving permission from the country's Cabinet to explore and exploit the oil continental shelf in Greek territorial waters.
Nikos Dendias.
“Turkey’s illegal actions have no legal basis; it has no right to violate Greece’s sovereign rights based on international law and international maritime law,” Dendias said. “Turkey is step by step trying to usurp Greece’s sovereign rights, citing a certain Turkish-Libyan memorandum.”
Previously, Turkey entered into an agreement with the Government of National Accord of Libya on the delimitation of territorial waters, according to which Greek territorial waters “accidentally” fell into the Turkish zone.
“Turkey’s actions after the invalid memorandum with Libya have no legal basis, and Greece will do everything possible to protect its own rights,” Greek government spokesman Stelios Petsas commented on the situation. “There is already an action plan.”
According to available information, the Turks have set their sights on oil-bearing shelves located northeast of Rhodes, southeast of Karpathos and southeast of Crete - islands belonging to Greece.
At the same time, the Turkish military landed troops on the disputed territory beyond the Evros River, from where migrants had recently tried to attack the Greek border, and began cutting down the forest there, setting up temporary camps.
Provocative flights of Turkish warplanes over the border Greek island territories have also become more frequent.
Turkey Encroached on Greek Shelf. Athens Promises to Defend