Greece has firmly dismissed Ankara’s latest objections to the updated Greek Maritime Spatial Planning (MSP) map uploaded to the European Commission’s platform, stressing that Turkey’s claims lack any basis in European or international law.
In a clear response on Tuesday, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lana Zochiou stated that the MSP update was carried out strictly in accordance with EU Directive 2014/89, the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), and all relevant bilateral agreements Greece has concluded in recent years.
According to Zochiou, where Greece has not yet reached a bilateral delimitation of an Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), the MSP map reflects the maximum potential maritime boundaries based on the median line principle, which is fully consistent with international practice.
She emphasized that Greece’s positions on the matter have been repeatedly presented to Turkey, to the European Union, and to the United Nations. “Turkey’s reactions have no legal foundation in EU or international law,” she said, adding that Athens will continue to act within the established legal frameworks.
Turkey’s objections
Earlier, the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a strong statement claiming that the Greek MSP map “violates Turkey’s maritime jurisdiction areas” in the Aegean Sea and the Eastern Mediterranean. Ankara argued that Greece is attempting to “legitimize” an EEZ it has not officially declared in the Eastern Mediterranean by embedding it in the European MSP platform.
Turkish MFA spokesperson Oncu Keçeli asserted that parts of the EEZ shown on the Greek map lie “within the Turkish continental shelf,” and accused Athens of ignoring fundamental principles of maritime law. Turkey reiterated its long-standing position that Greece’s maritime claims are “doomed to fail” and represent unilateral steps that contravene international law.
Keçeli highlighted that Turkey itself published its national MSP plan in April 2025 and submitted it to UNESCO’s Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission in June of the same year. He argued that the updated Greek map constitutes an attempt to create faits accomplis through the EU.
Greece stands firm
Athens categorically rejected Turkey’s accusations, stressing that Greece acts exclusively on the basis of international legality and fully respects all established maritime norms. In contrast, it argued, Turkey persists in disputing internationally recognized principles and has not signed UNCLOS, the cornerstone legal framework governing maritime boundaries.
Diplomatic sources noted that Greece will continue to engage with partners in the EU and the UN to ensure that lawful maritime boundaries and planning processes are respected.
