Ankara is trying to create new data in the already fragile balances, as according to information cited by Bloomberg, its ruling AKP party is working on a legislative initiative that will give the Turkish president the ability to unilaterally declare an Exclusive Economic Zone () up to 200 nautical miles from the Turkish coast.
The draft legislation is said to authorize Erdogan to exercise rights related to fishing, hydrocarbon extraction, drilling and the creation of marine parks even in areas of disputed status in the Aegean and Eastern Mediterranean.
According to the same information, Ankara’s initiative is directly linked to Turkey’s attempt to respond to Greek and Cypriot claims in the energy-critical sea zones of the Eastern Mediterranean, but also to make it clear that it does not intend to stay out of the geopolitical and energy developments in the region.
The “paradox” with the Law of the Sea
The debate takes on particular significance as Turkey has not signed or ratified the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), which stipulates that coastal states can declare an EEZ of up to 200 nautical miles.
However, in cases where there are overlapping claims – such as in the Aegean and the Eastern Mediterranean – bilateral agreements or international settlement are required.
Diplomatic and legal sources point to the “paradox” of the Turkish stance, as Ankara invokes provisions of the Law of the Sea which it does not officially recognize.
Turkey still rejects the basic Greek position that the islands have full rights to maritime zones and a continental shelf. Instead, he considers that the definition of the continental shelf should be based primarily on the continental coastline.
In the same context, Ankara argues that states with an island character, such as the Republic of Cyprus, are not entitled to extensive maritime zones beyond their territorial waters. At the same time, the pseudo-state in the occupied territories is making claims on potential energy deposits off Cyprus, with the full support of Turkey.
