Greece, Turkey clash over protected Aegean marine areas

Greece and Turkey experienced a brief period of relative peace in 2023, following a devastating earthquake in Turkey and the signing of the Athens Declaration on Friendly Relations and Good-Neighbourliness. However, this calm was short-lived as both nations resumed their longstanding disputes over maritime boundaries in the Aegean Sea and eastern Mediterranean.

Turkey recently designated two marine parks in the Aegean, claiming they were aimed at environmental protection. Greece vehemently disagreed, labeling the parks as "illegal" and asserting that their borders are determined by international law. The Greek government announced its own marine parks in 2025, within Greek territorial waters.

Both nations have been engaged in a decades-long conflict over the Aegean, with Turkey's "Mavi Vatan" doctrine, or "Blue Homeland," seeking to expand its control over Greek and Cyprus waters. This latest development appears to be another attempt to assert dominance in the disputed maritime area. Greece, aware of Turkey's superior military capabilities, has bolstered its defense capabilities, including the acquisition of advanced weapons systems. The situation highlights the ongoing tensions and the potential for further conflict in the region.