Türkiye’s Defense Ministry mocked Greece’s claim of a “five-minute” reaction to alleged threats, dismissing it as absurd.
Tag: maritime disputes
A new chapter in Greece-Türkiye relations unfolded as both nations issued statements regarding their respective Maritime Spatial Planning (MSP) initiatives, highlighting competing claims in the Aegean Sea and Eastern Mediterranean.
Greece’s new Maritime Spatial Planning for tourism, energy, and fishing has angered Turkey, which claims it violates its Aegean and Mediterranean rights. The NATO allies’ dispute, fueled by Turkey’s non-signatory status to UNCLOS and non-recognition of Cyprus, escalates tensions over Crete and maritime boundaries.
Ankara is reacting strongly to the activities of Greece, Cyprus, and Israel concerning the undersea…
Greece has extended a visa program for Turkish nationals by one year, allowing visits to 12 Aegean Sea islands for up to seven days. Initially launched in December 2023, the policy, now running until April 2026, has issued over 100,000 visas since March 2024, fostering ties between the NATO allies and historic rivals amid ongoing efforts to ease tensions.
Greece’s Foreign Minister Giorgos Gerapetritis announced Thursday that the ambitious Great Sea Interconnector, a $2.06 billion submarine power cable linking Greece, Cyprus, and Israel, remains on track for completion by the end of the decade despite financial and geopolitical challenges. The project aims to enhance energy security and support renewable energy integration across the Mediterranean.
Renewed tensions between Greece and Turkey threaten planned diplomatic talks. Turkey’s assertive actions in the Aegean and Eastern Mediterranean, including challenging Greek sovereignty and maritime boundaries under its “Blue Homeland” doctrine, are jeopardizing a potential summit between their leaders. These actions, coupled with disagreements over the interpretation of existing agreements and Turkey’s stance on the status of Greek islands, are creating a difficult environment for negotiations. Meanwhile, both nations are also navigating the evolving foreign policy landscape under the Trump administration.
In a recent development that has escalated tensions between Turkey and Greece, Turkish media outlets have accused Greece of militarizing the Aegean islands, which were granted to Greece under specific conditions. The accusations come amid ongoing disputes over territorial and maritime rights in the region.
The launch of two new Turkish frigates highlights Ankara’s expanding naval ambitions in the Mediterranean, Aegean, and Black Seas, bolstered by its growing domestic defense industry. Rooted in the “Blue Homeland” doctrine, this strategy has fueled maritime disputes with Greece and Cyprus over boundaries and resources. With 29 ships under construction and a defense budget of $45 billion for 2025, Turkey aims to assert itself as a regional and global naval power, reducing reliance on Western suppliers and promoting its advanced unmanned surface vehicle programs.
Turkey’s recent military exercise, Mavi Vatan-2025 (Blue Homeland 2025), has been interpreted as a clear…
Turkey launched “Blue Homeland 2025,” a major air and naval exercise across the Aegean, Mediterranean, and Black Seas, showcasing its growing military might and commitment to its “Blue Homeland” doctrine. President Erdoğan highlighted new missile developments and warship construction, emphasizing Turkey’s determination to project power in the region while maintaining that the investments are for peace, not war.
Tensions rise ahead of a key meeting between Greek PM Mitsotakis and Turkish President Erdoğan as Turkey’s pro-government *Daily Sabah* criticizes Greece and Cyprus for “confrontational” strategies in the Eastern Mediterranean, contrasting their approach with Turkey’s maritime agreements.
The Greek Defence Ministry has strongly refuted recent claims made by Turkish Defence Minister Yasar…
A map published by the European Commission’s Maritime Spatial Planning Platform (European MSP Platform) has…
Turkey’s Foreign Minister, Hakan Fidan, arrived in Athens on Friday for talks with Greek counterpart George Gerapetritis, aimed at easing tensions between the two NATO members. The meeting comes as part of a broader diplomatic effort to improve relations, following a series of high-level discussions between Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Officials are expected to address issues such as rising illegal migration and explore ways to enhance regional stability, setting the stage for a high-level Greece-Turkey cooperation council in 2025.
Greek and Turkish Foreign Ministers will meet in Athens on November 8th to address long-standing bilateral issues, including the contentious demarcation of an exclusive economic zone in the eastern Mediterranean. This meeting comes amidst a cautious thaw in relations between the NATO allies, whose history is fraught with tension.
In a bid to improve relations, Turkey’s Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan will visit Greece to discuss ongoing bilateral issues, including longstanding disputes over maritime zones and airspace.
Taking an active role in global environmental initiatives, Turkey has signed the UN Treaty on the conservation of marine biodiversity. This move comes at a time of tension in the Eastern Mediterranean, where Turkey claims maritime zones and rights to exploit natural resources… It remains to be seen how Ankara will utilize this signature in the context of its broader strategic pursuits.
Turkey has issued a NAVTEX (0592/24) announcing cable-laying operations by the vessel C/S Teliri in an area south of Rhodes and east of Crete, claiming this is within the Turkish continental shelf.
Greece and Israel demonstrated strengthened military ties in a joint air exercise south of Crete, the first since October 2023. The exercise saw 56 Greek F-16s train alongside Israeli refueling tankers, showcasing enhanced cooperation and interoperability between the allied air forces.