Taking an active role in global environmental initiatives, Turkey has signed the UN Treaty on the conservation of marine biodiversity.
According to SIGMA correspondent Maria Zacharaki, Turkey, with the signing of the treaty by Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, appears to be strengthening its position within an international legal framework concerning the protection of the seas, particularly in areas beyond national jurisdiction. The treaty signed by Turkey mainly concerns areas that do not belong to any state, the so-called "high seas".
This move comes at a time of tension in the Eastern Mediterranean, where Turkey claims maritime zones and rights to exploit natural resources.
This UN treaty, which provides for the creation of protected areas and ensures the fair and equitable sharing of benefits from biological discoveries, aims to foster international cooperation, particularly in matters related to marine research and sustainable development.
Turkey's accession to the international agreement, just months after the 'diplomatic friction' caused by Greece's announcement of marine parks in the Aegean Sea, takes on particular importance for the regional equation. It remains to be seen how Ankara will utilize this signature in the context of its broader strategic pursuits.
Turkey's accession to such an international treaty concerning the seas may be a move with potential geopolitical implications, perhaps a tool in its future diplomatic designs with the countries of the region, especially at a time when Turkey has already proposed cooperation with Greece for the creation of joint marine parks in the Aegean Sea.