New Turkish threats in the Aegean: Maps of maritime “parks” and demands over the Greece–Cyprus power cable

Turkey is stepping up its challenges to Greek sovereign rights in the Aegean and Eastern Mediterranean, publishing maps of two new Turkish maritime parks while simultaneously demanding a say in surveys and construction work linked to the Greece–Cyprus electricity interconnection.

Ankara claims it does not oppose the development of undersea cables, but insists that diplomatic “notification and coordination” should take place before surveys or cable-laying operations in maritime areas it considers to fall under Turkish jurisdiction.

The demand comes at a critical time, following the decision to restart the Greece–Cyprus electricity interconnection project, with French investment group Meridiam joining the project. Athens has made clear that the cable project will proceed as planned.

Turkey publishes new maps

The Turkish Anadolu news agency published maps of two proposed maritime parks: the Fethiye-Kaş park, covering approximately 2.17 million hectares, and a Northern Aegean maritime park covering about 174,000 hectares.

Athens believes the Turkish moves go beyond environmental protection and directly touch on Greek sovereign rights, potentially creating new facts on the ground — or at sea — in the region.

The tensions were further highlighted on Wednesday, when Turkish aircraft and drones recorded eight violations of Greek airspace and 13 violations of the Athens FIR.

Athens rejects Turkish demands

The Greek government insists that the Greece–Cyprus electricity interconnection will proceed in accordance with international law and the Law of the Sea, effectively rejecting any attempt by Ankara to obtain an approval role or veto over the project.

Athens is also preparing diplomatic démarches to Turkey and international organisations to formally reaffirm Greece’s positions.

The situation has been further inflamed by comments from Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, who said that “history is being rewritten” in the region and stressed that Turkey would not bow to anyone when the future of the country and nation is at stake.

Turkish military considers crisis scenarios

At the same time, an official Turkish Defence Ministry document submitted to the Turkish parliament on August 10 reportedly examines scenarios involving crisis, tension and even war in the Eastern Mediterranean.

The document refers to Cyprus, growing Greek-Israeli defence cooperation and developments surrounding the electricity interconnection.

The Greece–Cyprus cable has therefore emerged as a major new flashpoint between Athens and Ankara, with Greece insisting that the project will move forward and Turkey seeking to impose its own claims over disputed areas of the Eastern Mediterranean.

Source: https://tanea.com.au/en/new-turkish-threats-in-the-aegean-maps-of-maritime-parks-and-demands-over-the-greece-cyprus-power-cable/