Greece Plans Aegean Territorial Waters Extension to 12 Miles Despite Turkey's 1995 Casus Belli Threat

Greek Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis has reaffirmed Athens' intention to extend its territorial waters in the Aegean Sea to 12 nautical miles, a move long viewed by Turkey as a potential casus belli (cause for war) under a 1995 parliamentary resolution. Despite Ankara's warnings, Gerapetritis described the policy as a sovereign right and a continuation of prior extensions in the Ionian Sea.

Gerapetritis' Recent Statements Spark Renewed Debate

On January 16, 2026, responding to questions in the Greek Parliament, Foreign Minister Gerapetritis stated:

"Today, our sovereignty in the Aegean Sea extends to six nautical miles. As there was an agreement with Egypt, and as there was an agreement with Italy, there will also be a further extension of the territorial waters."

He emphasized that Greece has already implemented a 12-mile limit in the Ionian Sea (western Greece) following maritime agreements with Italy and maintains similar arrangements in the Eastern Mediterranean via the Greece-Egypt deal. However, any Aegean extension remains highly sensitive due to the sea's geography and overlapping claims.

Turkey's 1995 Casus Belli Resolution – Still in Force?

Turkey's Grand National Assembly unanimously declared on June 8, 1995 that a unilateral Greek extension of territorial waters beyond 6 miles in the Aegean would constitute a casus belli. The resolution, supported by major political figures across the spectrum (including Bülent Ecevit, Deniz Baykal, Necmettin Erbakan, Mesut Yılmaz, Tansu Çiller, Muhsin Yazıcıoğlu, and even Alparslan Türkeş of MHP), grants the Turkish government full powers—including military ones—to protect national interests.

Key excerpt from the 1995 text (as frequently cited in Turkish media):

"If Greece extends its territorial waters in the Aegean Sea beyond 6 miles in a way that disrupts the balance established by the Treaty of Lausanne, this will be considered a cause for war."

Turkish outlets like Sözcü recently revived the issue, publishing maps showing that a 12-mile Greek limit would place approximately 72% of the Aegean under Greek sovereignty—turning it, in Ankara's view, into a "Greek lake" and restricting Turkish access to international waters.

Historical Background of Territorial Waters in the Aegean

• 1923 Treaty of Lausanne → Initial 3-mile limit.
• 1936 → Greece extends to 6 miles.
• 1964 → Turkey follows suit.
• UNCLOS (1982) → Recognizes 12 nautical miles as standard (Greece is a signatory; Turkey is not).

Greece argues the 12-mile right is enshrined in international law and has been applied elsewhere without issue. Turkey counters that the Aegean's unique island density makes uniform application inequitable and threatening to its vital interests.

Turkish Media & Government Response

Nationalist Turkish newspaper Sözcü (and others) framed Gerapetritis' remarks as lacking "courage" for full implementation, citing the enduring 1995 resolution as the primary deterrent. Ankara has consistently labeled any Aegean expansion a "red line," with recent reports noting continued monitoring but no immediate new escalation.

Implications for Greece-Turkey Relations & Regional Stability

The statements come amid ongoing Greek-Turkish dialogue, marine park announcements, and broader Eastern Mediterranean energy/geopolitical dynamics. While both NATO allies have avoided direct confrontation in recent years, experts warn that unilateral moves could heighten risks in an already militarized sea.

Greece maintains the extension is a technical/sovereign matter, not provocation, and continues to assert rights under UNCLOS.

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