Greece's Marine Parks: Conservation or Conquest in the Aegean?

Greece is reportedly exploring the declaration of new marine parks in the Aegean Sea, a move that could coincide with an expansion of its territorial waters south of Crete. This potential action is seen as a response to Türkiye's recent efforts to codify its maritime claims through the "Blue Homeland" doctrine.

The Greek foreign minister has signaled a willingness to "absolutely utilize legal tools of response," suggesting a firm stance against Ankara. The context is a long-standing territorial dispute, where Greece, a member of the European Union, appears to be using conservation zones as a strategic tool in its dealings with Türkiye.

Under the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), coastal states can establish marine protected areas. However, the proposed locations near the Dodecanese Islands, which lie close to the Turkish mainland, raise complex legal issues. Türkiye argues that the Aegean seabed is geologically an extension of its own landmass, while Greece's claims based on islands near the Turkish coast are contested under international law.

Legal experts note that Greece, unlike archipelagic states, does not qualify for certain privileges under UNCLOS Part IV. Furthermore, the application of straight baselines and the generation of Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) entitlements by islands are subject to specific conditions and interpretations that Greece's claims may strain. The delimitation of maritime boundaries in the Aegean remains a point of contention, with UNCLOS Article 74 requiring agreement between states, which is currently lacking between Athens and Ankara.

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absolutely utilize legal tools of response