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A possible decision by Greece to expand its territorial waters in the White Sea would be considered a pretext for war, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said, according to the DPA.
“They (Greece) cannot extend this (their territorial waters) to 12 miles (about 22 km) in the White Sea,” Cavusoglu said. “This is an occasion for war, or a white case,” A Haber told television.
Both Greece and Turkey have territorial waters of 6 nautical miles (about 11 km) in the White Sea, where several Greek islands are located near the mainland of Turkey, recalls DPA. The two NATO allies are also at odds over Turkish gas exploration in the Mediterranean.
Earlier this week, Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis told parliament that Athens was expanding its territorial waters in the Ionian Sea from 6 to 12 nautical miles, of which Italy and Albania have been informed. He added that the country could expand its territorial waters to other maritime areas.
Cavusoglu stressed that Ankara is not interested in the Greek territorial waters in the Ionian Sea, but “our position in the Aegean Sea is extremely clear.”
Turkey celebrates Victory Day against Greece in 1922
Turkey today marks the 98th anniversary of Dumlupanar’s decisive battle against Greek forces in the war for independence, at a time when the threat of a new conflict with Athens is growing in the Eastern Mediterranean, AP reported.
Turkey’s fight for independence and the future continues today, Turkish President Erdogan said in a message marking Victory Day.
It is not at all a coincidence that those who want to exclude us from the eastern Mediterranean are the same conquerors as those who tried to invade our homeland a century ago, Erdogan said.
In recent weeks, both Turkish and Greek forces have organized naval exercises in areas between Cyprus and the Greek island of Crete. The confrontation erupted when Turkey sent a research ship, accompanied by warships, to search for gas and oil reserves.
EU member Greece says the waters are part of its continental shelf and has requested support from the EU, which condemned Turkey’s illegal actions and warned of possible sanctions against Ankara.
Turkey, meanwhile, claims that Greece and other countries are taking away its rights to explore energy resources in the Mediterranean.
In addition to Greece and Cyprus, France, Italy and the United Arab Emirates have recently conducted naval and air exercises in the region.
On Saturday, Turkey began a naval exercise until September 11 off its southern coast.
No one should have any doubts about our determination on this issue and our unshakable faith in victory, Erdogan said.
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