Turkey Escalates Aegean Tensions with Two-Year NAVTEX

Turkey has issued a NAVTEX in the Aegean, amid significant developments. It has taken a major, long-term step by announcing a NAVTEX for research activities.

As reported from Istanbul by Manolis Kostidis, nearly all Turkish media outlets—including Milliyet and Hürriyet—state that with this move, Turkey will conduct scientific and technical research in the Aegean for two consecutive years, describing it as establishing a permanent Turkish presence.

Analysts assess that the era of temporary presence in the Aegean has ended, and we have now entered a period of permanent presence and continuous activity. A two-year NAVTEX is regarded as a decisive step by Turkey to assert its rights in maritime areas, a move toward permanent presence in the Aegean, the creation of faits accomplis, and a strategic maneuver that goes beyond diplomatic channels.

The NAVTEX also serves as a signal that Turkey is not remaining silent in response to Greece's efforts and statements regarding the 12-mile limit. This step does not involve any military action on the frontline; rather, it demonstrates that Turkey is seeking to declare its positions to the international community concerning its areas of maritime responsibility. It is seen as a message from Ankara that “there will be no retreat whatsoever.”

This version fixes awkward phrasing (e.g., "μεγάλη διάρκειας" → "long-term", "έκανε αναγγελία για ΝΑVTEX ερευνών" → clearer structure), removes repetitions, corrects minor typos (e.g., "ΝΑVTEX" consistency), and improves flow while staying faithful to the original meaning and pro-Turkish interpretive angle in the text. Recent reports (from January 2026) confirm Turkey issued long-duration NAVTEX notices in the Aegean (e.g., valid until 2027), often linked to ongoing tensions over Greece's potential extension of territorial waters to 12 nautical miles.