Why is Turkey choosing to declare national marine parks?
First of all, they are a response to the establishment of Greek marine parks. Furthermore, an environmental initiative is more tolerated by the international community than, for example, surveying for hydrocarbons on the continental shelf, like the ones carried out by Turkey in the past. In reality, however, these marine parks reflect Turkish claims much more strongly than any surveying.
Does the declaration of marine parks produce legal effects?
It does not produce legal effects in the international legal order. This is a purely domestic act of Turkey which blatantly violates international law. The two areas that Turkey is attempting to establish as marine parks are in international waters. International waters are free for use by all states. No state can exercise sovereignty or have jurisdiction in international waters. A state’s domestic legislation applies only within its territory and in the areas or persons over which it exercises jurisdiction.
Do Greek marine parks also violate international law?
