Greece announces maritime spatial plan with potential Aegean implications
GREECE INTRODUCES FIRST COMPREHENSIVE MARITIME SPATIAL PLAN
Greece has officially released its first comprehensive Maritime Spatial Plan (MSP), jointly signed by Foreign Minister Giorgos Gerapetritis and Minister of Environment and Energy Stavros Papastavrou. The announcement marks a significant step in the country’s effort to systematically regulate the use of its marine territories.
According to the official statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the plan sets out a strategic framework for the sustainable use and management of Greece’s maritime resources. It was emphasized that this is the first time Greece has laid out detailed guidelines for maritime areas, in alignment with both national legislation and the European Union's Directive 2014/89.
12-MILE CLAIM RAISES CONCERNS OVER AEGEAN DISPUTES
The plan outlines Greece’s continental shelf boundaries and, notably, includes references to the country’s right to extend its territorial waters in the Aegean Sea to 12 nautical miles. This long-standing and contentious issue has previously been a major source of diplomatic tension with neighboring Turkey.
Greek authorities asserted that this right is derived from international law and that Athens reserves the option to exercise it when deemed appropriate in line with national interests.
The inclusion of such claims in an EU-documented framework could provoke a strong reaction from Ankara. However, the Greek statement sought to soften the tone by stating, “Being in disagreement does not mean we should avoid dialogue.”
