Gerapetritis: 12 nautical miles remain ‘in our quiver’
Greek Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis said Greece’s right to extend its territorial waters to 12 nautical miles remains firmly on the table, while stressing that dialogue with Türkiye does not mean a retreat from Athens’ established positions.
Speaking to SKAI radio on September 29, Gerapetritis said Greece was in a “much better position” than three years ago in terms of diplomacy, the economy and defence. He also said communication channels with Ankara remain open despite continued disagreements over issues including the “Blue Homeland” doctrine, disputed maritime areas and the demilitarisation of Aegean islands.
12 NAUTICAL MILES REMAIN AN OPTION
Gerapetritis reiterated that extending Greece’s territorial waters to 12 nautical miles is a right under the law of the sea and remains in the government’s “quiver.”
“This government was the one that, after 50 years, carried out the extension in the Ionian [Sea], and it will continue with extensions of the territorial waters,” he said, adding that the timing and manner of exercising the right would be determined by the Greek state.
The minister has previously said there is no fixed timetable for further extensions, while maintaining that Greece retains the right to exercise them.
NO REROUTING OF THE GREECE-CYPRUS CABLE
Gerapetritis also rejected suggestions that the route of the Greece-Cyprus electricity interconnection could be changed because of its proximity to areas designated by Türkiye as marine parks.
He said the planned route had never passed through Turkish marine parks and therefore there was no reason for it to be rerouted. Other reports quoting his interview said the planned route lies “dozens of miles south” of the Turkish marine parks.
“The survey and laying of the cable will proceed in the manner selected by the contractor,” Gerapetritis said, adding that Greece would be the country responsible for authorising the project. The minister had also said the previous day that Greece would issue the necessary NAVTEX notices for the survey and cable-laying operations.
ATHENS SAYS DIALOGUE DOES NOT MEAN CONCESSIONS
On Greek-Turkish relations, Gerapetritis said Athens was not expecting Ankara to abandon its established positions simply because the two sides had resumed structured dialogue.
He said maintaining communication was intended to preserve a functional relationship and help prevent new crises, while insisting that this did not involve concessions on Greece’s core positions. He described the current dialogue as structured, with defined limits, deliverables, timelines and officials responsible for the process.
Gerapetritis also confirmed that he remains in contact with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan.
