Greece has moved forward with plans for a new marine park in the South Aegean as tensions with Turkey over maritime jurisdiction continue, while Athens and Nicosia prepare for a possible resumption of research on a major undersea electricity cable.
The Greek government has submitted a draft presidential decree establishing the South Aegean-1 Marine Park to the Council of State, marking a significant step in the conservation initiative.
The submission comes amid ongoing disagreements between Greece and Turkey over maritime boundaries, sovereignty and Ankara’s claims in the Aegean and Eastern Mediterranean.
Marine Park Plan Advances Despite Turkish Objections
The presidential decree, which was delayed beyond its anticipated completion during the summer, concerns waters within Greece’s territorial waters.
However, Turkey disputes Greek sovereignty over certain islands and islets in the region, including Kinaros and Levitha, which Ankara considers part of what it describes as “grey zones”.
The issue remains sensitive as Greece advances its marine conservation plans and monitors developments in Turkey, where a proposed Blue Homeland bill was absent from the Turkish parliament’s October agenda.
Athens views the proposed legislation as part of Ankara’s broader response to Greece’s marine park initiatives, although the bill’s parliamentary status remains uncertain.
Turkey has also announced two marine parks of its own, including one extending between the Greek islands of Limnos and Samothrace and another that would separate Kastellorizo from Rhodes.
The competing initiatives have added another dimension to longstanding disagreements over maritime jurisdiction in the region.
Greece and Cyprus Prepare for Cable Research
Meanwhile, Greece and Cyprus are preparing for a possible resumption of seabed research for the Great Sea Interconnector, a planned electricity cable linking the two countries.
A new navigational warning, known as a Navtex, authorising research between Heraklion in Crete and Paphos in Cyprus could be issued as early as Tuesday, according to the latest assessments reported by Kathimerini.
The research vessel Abeille Marengo remained in Naples late on Monday as Athens proceeded cautiously with preparations for the next phase of the project.
The interconnector is considered strategically important for strengthening electricity connections between Cyprus and continental Europe.
However, the project has faced opposition from Turkey, which claims that parts of the proposed cable route cross its continental shelf.
Greece rejects Ankara’s claims, while French contractor Nexans has indicated that it will coordinate its activities exclusively with the Greek and Cypriot authorities.
Turkey Raises Objections Over Maritime Activities
Turkish media have continued to highlight Ankara’s objections to developments in the Eastern Mediterranean, including the electricity cable project and competing navigational warnings.
The Turkish newspaper Hurriyet reported on conflicting notices concerning the Eunomia military exercise involving Greece, Cyprus, France and Italy, which took place hundreds of miles south of Kastellorizo.
Regarding the electricity interconnector, the newspaper reported that Ankara expected France, as the vessel’s flag state, to coordinate through diplomatic channels before seabed research resumed.
Turkey maintains that the proposed route crosses areas of continental shelf over which it claims jurisdiction. Greece disputes that position.
The disagreement reflects broader tensions over maritime rights and the interpretation of international law in the Eastern Mediterranean.
Separate Cyprus Cable Project Also Faces Dispute
A second research vessel, KOBI RUEGG, remained at the port of Heraklion ahead of planned work on the EMC data cable linking Cyprus, according to a Cypriot Navtex.
Turkish authorities issued a counter-warning asserting jurisdiction over parts of Cyprus’ exclusive economic zone, adding to the competing maritime claims surrounding infrastructure projects in the region.
The developments highlight the challenges facing Greece and Cyprus as they seek to advance strategic energy and telecommunications links amid continued objections from Ankara.
For Athens, the immediate priority is to progress with the marine park decree while carefully managing the diplomatic and maritime implications of renewed research activity in the Eastern Mediterranean.
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SEO Title: Greece Advances Aegean Marine Park Amid Turkish Dispute
Meta Description: Greece advances its South Aegean marine park plan as tensions with Turkey continue over maritime claims and the Greece-Cyprus electricity cable.
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Excerpt: Greece has submitted a decree establishing the South Aegean-1 Marine Park as Athens and Nicosia prepare for renewed research on the Great Sea Interconnector amid Turkish objections.
Tags: Greece, Turkey, Aegean Sea, Eastern Mediterranean, South Aegean Marine Park, Great Sea Interconnector, Cyprus, maritime disputes, Greek foreign policy, energy security, Nexans, Blue Homeland, Kastellorizo, Kinaros, Levitha
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