Athens will brief European Union partners next week using maps that it says show violations of international law and the illegality of Turkey’s declaration of two marine parks, according to preparations for Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis’ participation in an informal meeting of EU foreign ministers in Ireland.
The ministry has prepared maps comparing the marine parks announced by Greece with those recently presented by Turkey. Greek officials say the material is intended to demonstrate that Athens acted within international law, while Turkey’s approach violated multiple provisions. The maps, accompanied by written documentation, will be used to inform partners and allies about what Greece describes as Turkish provocations. A formal demarche has also been sent to Ankara.
The briefing comes amid renewed tensions. On Thursday, a Turkish unmanned aerial vehicle entered the Athens Flight Information Region and violated national airspace, according to the report. The aircraft flew between Samothraki and Limnos, prompting the scrambling of two Greek F-16 fighter jets. The report said violations have been increasing in recent months after a long period without similar activity, involving Turkish fighter aircraft, unmanned aircraft and drones. Moreover, a scheduled flight from Alexandroupoli was delayed after radar detected an unidentified flying object.
