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Turkey continues with extreme challenges on the Greek continental shelf by issuing Navtex launchers and sending fighter jets in overflights over islands for which it demands their immediate demilitarization. In fact, he got to the point through the representative of his Ministry of Foreign Affairs to say in Athens that his positions on the “Greek continental shelf” are maximalist and do not have the slightest legal basis, so it would be good to stop and reproduce them. 
In the climate of tension that began to intensify again in the Aegean and the Eastern Mediterranean, the State Department report that does not recognize Greek airspace beyond 6 miles was added. This report, which surprised Athens and provoked a strong reaction from the Official Opposition to the government, was commented by government sources as essentially inappropriate.
But the fact is that more than ever, Erdogan faces the enemy from within. The crisis in Turkey due to the collapse of the economy is great and indicative of the explosive climate is the wood that supposedly touched on the steps of the presidential palace last Saturday night, the new governor of the central bank Naci Agbal and the now-resigned Minister Oikonom . and Turkish Finance, and Erdogan’s son-in-law, Berat Albayrak. Pressure from the Turkish people, who suffer daily from poverty and economic hardship, is causing a breakdown in the Erdogan system.
The State Department report
In a controversial move, the State Department claims that it is impossible to establish a list of Turkish violations in Greek airspace, as there is a difference of opinion with Greece on its borders.
The State Department declares its inability to provide a complete list of confirmed Turkish violations of Greek airspace, as of January 1, 2017, because, according to a report by the US State Department, Greece and the US They do not share the same opinion on the scope of Greek law. air space. 
The corresponding report, cited by KYPE, was delivered to the directorates of the Foreign Affairs and Defense committees of the Parliament and the Senate, based on the provisions of the Eastern Mediterranean Act (East Med Act).
The reasons the US cannot submit a list of Turkish violations are as follows:
“We do not share the opinion of Greece”
“First, Greece claims an airspace that extends up to 10 nautical miles from its coast and territorial waters up to 6 nautical miles. Under international law, a country’s airspace coincides with its territorial waters. Thus, the United States recognizes up to 6 nautical miles of Greek airspace, according to the territorial waters of Greece “Therefore, Greece and the United States do not share the same opinion on the extent of Greek airspace.”
The second reason is that, although our country currently claims up to 6 nautical miles of territorial waters in the Aegean, “Greece and its neighbors have not agreed to demarcate borders in areas where their legal maritime rights overlap. The lack of such demarcation means that there is no clarity as to the extent of the territorial waters of Greece and the corresponding airspace in these areas, making any assessment of the total violations of Greek airspace impossible.
“Solve bilateral problems peacefully”
In closing, the report states that the United States encourages Greece and Turkey to resolve outstanding bilateral maritime border issues peacefully and in accordance with international law.
“Such efforts will help stabilize the region and facilitate cooperation in NATO.” “Likewise, the United States urges both Greece and Turkey to refrain from provocative actions that increase tensions in the region.”
It is recalled that the State Department also issued a report on Turkish interventions in the Cyprus EEZ. In it, the United States Secretary of State maintains the same distance: on the one hand, he notes that although not all the examples are presented as interference in the efforts of the Republic of Cyprus to explore and exploit natural resources, “all together reflect growing tensions in the region. ” .
On the other hand, it is stated that the United States does not recognize the “Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus”, adding that the United States “recognizes the right of the Republic of Cyprus to develop resources in its EEZ and that only the Republic of Cyprus can claim Naval claims on behalf of Cyprus “.
Immediate government information
To be immediately informed about the State Department Report on Turkish Violations in the National Airspace of Greece, which was presented to the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committees of the United States Parliament and Senate, based on the provisions of the East Middle East Act. , SYRIZA-Progressive Alliance lawsuit.
He noted in a statement that “if the State Department confirms that it cannot provide a list adopting Turkish positions on Greek sovereignty, this report is a complete failure of Mitsoto’s foreign policy.” country, national interests and Greek-American relations “.
The Greek answer
Diplomatic sources point out that the borders of Greek territorial waters, as well as the maritime borders between Greece and Turkey have been clearly defined for years on the basis of conventional and customary international law.
They specifically state:
Regarding the report of the US Department of State, which was referred to the US Congress, under the provisions of the “Eastern Mediterranean Energy and Security Partnership Act” and which was sent to Congress about 8 months ago (March 18, 2020), it is highlighted that the limits of Greek territorial waters, as well as the maritime borders between Greece and Turkey have been clearly defined for years on the basis of conventional and customary international law and are not in dispute.
The 1932 agreement
In particular, with regard to the Southeast Aegean and the Eastern Mediterranean, the maritime borders have been defined by the Italy-Turkey Agreement signed in Ankara on January 4, 1932, as well as the acts that form an integral part of this agreement and signed in Ankara . December 28, 1932. Greece, as a successor state, under the 1947 Treaty of Paris, gained sovereignty over the Dodecanese without any change in maritime borders, as agreed between Italy and Turkey.
As for the maritime borders in Thrace (up to the point at a distance of three nautical miles from the Evros delta), they were defined by the Treaty of Lausanne of 1923 and the Protocol of Athens of 1926.
Maritime borders
Finally, with regard to the maritime borders between the two mentioned areas (from Thrace to the Dodecanese), where the territorial waters of Greece and Turkey intersect, the maritime borders follow the median line between the Greek islands and islets and the opposite Turkish coasts.
“The external borders of Greece, including its territorial waters, which have been repeatedly captured, are also the external borders of the European Union.”
The “war” with Navtex
It is recalled that on Wednesday Turkey issued a new Navtex for the Oruc Reis, with which it ensures that its research ship, together with its companions, will roam the Eastern Mediterranean until 23 November.
The new illegal Turkish directive concerns an area south of Kastellorizo and comes after Navtex for the demilitarization of four Greek islands. A short time later, Athens responded with anti-Navtex, claiming that Ankara’s Navtex was illegal and related to “unauthorized activity” in an area that “covers the Greek continental shelf.”
It also emphasizes that in this area the Heraklion station has the authority to issue Navtex messages.
In turn, Ankara launched a new anti-Navtex, through which it emphasizes that Oruc Reis is conducting investigations on the Turkish continental shelf, on behalf of Turkey.
Protest action of the Minister of Foreign Affairs
In fact, Athens is protesting to the Turkish side about this Navtex. In a statement, the Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs states:
With the new illegal NAVTEX, Turkey announces the continuation of its illegal seismic investigations, for the period from November 11 to 23, in an area covering the Greek continental shelf in the Eastern Mediterranean, continuing to violate international law of the sea and undermine the stability and stability of in the area.
In other words, it affirms that it will continue to disregard the recommendations of the international community and the European Council to avoid such illegal actions and comply with international law.
“Turkish continental shelf”
Greece once again condemns this provocative behavior, which further distances any prospect of a constructive dialogue and calls on Turkey to immediately withdraw the illegal Navtex.
In this context, Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias gave instructions for an immediate protest to the Turkish side, in addition to informing allies and partners about the ongoing illegal Turkish behavior.
Ankara made a new incendiary statement about Oruc Reis’s presence in the eastern Mediterranean, insisting that the Turkish ship is conducting an investigation on the Turkish continental shelf.
The bold Hami Aksoi
In response to a statement by the Greek Foreign Minister, Hami Aksoi accuses Athens of “maximalist positions”, which are contrary to international law and “have no value for us.”
Athens “reiterated its known objections to the seismic research activity that our ship continues to carry out on our continental shelf in the eastern Mediterranean,” Turkey’s Foreign Ministry said in a statement.
“These statements are based on the maximalist claims of Greece on maritime borders, are contrary to international law and have no value for us,” he added.
“Greece maintains the tension”
He also stressed that Turkey would continue to vigorously defend its rights, as well as those of the Turkish Cypriots in the eastern Mediterranean, in the context of international law.
Finally, he blames Greece, saying that while declaring that he wants solutions, he is making moves, like the announcement, that increase tension between the two countries.
“Rather than engage in military operations against Turkey, it should respond positively to our call for unconditional dialogue.”
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