Greece and Turkey Discuss Maritime Boundaries Amid Tensions

The news in Greek

1. συνάντηση  (f.)
   η διαδικασία ή το γεγονός της συζήτησης ή της επαφής δύο ή περισσοτέρων ατόμων. ↩︎
2. υπουργός  (m.)
   το άτομο που είναι επικεφαλής ενός υπουργείου σε μια κυβέρνηση. ↩︎
3. εξωτερικός
   αυτός που σχετίζεται με το εξωτερικό ή το διεθνές περιβάλλον. ↩︎
4. πρόβλημα  (n.)
   μια κατάσταση ή ζήτημα που απαιτεί λύση. ↩︎
5. λύση  (f.)
   τα μέσα ή η μέθοδος επίλυσης ενός θέματος ή προβλήματος. ↩︎
6. περιοχή  (f.)
   ένα συγκεκριμένο γεωγραφικό τμήμα του εδάφους. ↩︎

Translation

Text comprehension

Question 1: Who met to discuss problems in the Aegean Sea?

Question 2: What does Greece want to do about its maritime boundaries?

Vocabulary

Greek	English
συνάντηση  (f.)	meeting
υπουργός  (m.)	minister
εξωτερικός	foreign
πρόβλημα  (n.)	problems
λύση  (f.)	solution
περιοχή  (f.)	region

Read the full story

A recent meeting between the Greek and Turkish Foreign Ministers has sparked discussions on long-standing issues between the two neighbouring nations, particularly regarding maritime boundaries in the Aegean Sea. This meeting, drawing attention for its significance, has highlighted potential shifts in regional diplomatic relations.

The core of the discussions revolved around the contentious issue of the extent of Greek territorial waters. Turkey has consistently disagreed with Greece’s longstanding desire to extend its waters to 12 nautical miles, arguing that such an expansion would effectively block Turkey’s access to the Aegean. This topic was revisited by the Turkish Foreign Minister, who reiterated their stance without escalating tensions by mentioning their oft-cited threat of “casus belli,” or cause for war.

On the Greek side, Athens maintains a firm position, emphasizing its intention to veto any Turkish inclusion in European defence initiatives funded by programs such as SAFE, unless Turkey retracts its war threat against an EU member state, in this case, Greece. This stance has put Turkey in a strategic bind, as its thriving defence industry risks missing out on valuable European collaboration and investment if partnerships remain off the table.

Political stakes are high, especially at a time when Europe is taking significant steps towards strategic autonomy. While Turkey retains allies within the EU, a compromise could serve both nations’ interests, hinting at a possible return to negotiations under a “differentiated scope” approach to maritime zones. Historically, Athens suggested such a method nearly fifty years ago and briefly revived it during exploratory talks in more recent years.

Currently, the Aegean Sea is manageable under a 6-mile limit, which grants Greece control over sizable areas compared to Turkey. However, unresolved delimitations limit both nations’ exercise of rights over continental shelves and Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZs), situations that generally benefit Greece under the status quo.

The broader European defence landscape presents an opportunity for both countries. If Turkey seeks inclusion, it must navigate between escalating tensions or returning to diplomatic negotiations that address both countries’ interests without resorting to maximalist claims that exclude Greek islands.

Athens appears to follow a strategic diplomatic plan, setting clear boundaries for Turkey’s European engagement and actively participating in multilateral dialogues. One such initiative, dubbed 5X5, could face resistance from Turkey, potentially introducing alternative proposals. Nonetheless, Greece aims to engage constructively, shaping the agenda rather than responding defensively.

The geopolitical context has shifted in recent years, with Greece now possessing a stronger deterrent capability, which arguably increases its bargaining position. In this evolving landscape, any meaningful negotiation is predicated on a balanced approach to hard power strategy, underscoring the importance of comprehensive strategic planning in regional diplomacy.”

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