A new warning to Athens regarding the militarization of the islands of the Eastern Aegean, but also regarding activities in the Eastern Mediterranean, is being addressed by Ankara - through the Turkish Ministry of Defense this time - also bringing into focus the laying of cables or pipelines in the region.
As SKAI reports, in its statement, the Turkish ministry argues that the status of the islands which, according to Ankara, have a demilitarized status “is clearly regulated” by the Treaty of Lausanne of 1923 and the Treaty of Paris of 1947.
The Turkish side argues that militarization activities which, in its view, violate this specific status, as well as statements that attempt to legitimize them, “do not alter the existing legal situation”. “Our expectation is that Greece will refrain from such activities that could harm peace and stability in the region and will fulfill its obligations arising from the treaties”, it states.
And it adds:
“Turkey maintains its constructive approach in favor of good neighborliness and dialogue in the Aegean Sea and the Eastern Mediterranean, but will continue to resolutely protect its rights and interests arising from international law and to take the necessary measures for the security of our country”.
Of particular interest is the second part of the statement, as Turkey refers directly to the laying of cables or pipelines in the Eastern Mediterranean.
According to the Turkish Ministry of Defense, activities such as the laying of cables or pipelines, as well as scientific research, which are carried out in the area that Ankara considers to belong to its continental shelf, “must be coordinated in advance with our country”.
“Unauthorized activities that ignore the rights and interests of our country are not permitted” it states characteristically, adding that developments in the region “are being closely monitored” and the necessary measures are being taken.
Ankara also reiterates its position on its rights and maritime jurisdictions in the Eastern Mediterranean and invokes the Turkey-Libya memorandum of 2019, as well as the limits of the continental shelf which, as it states, it notified to the United Nations on March 18, 2020.
“Turkey will continue to exercise its rights and powers arising from its status as a coastal state in the Eastern Mediterranean and to resolutely protect its rights and interests in its maritime jurisdiction areas”, the statement concludes.