Greece Reaffirmed Territorial Waters Policy
Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis confirmed Greece retains the right to extend its maritime borders to 12 nautical miles.
Updated on Sept. 30, 2026 in International Relations
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Greek Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis confirmed that Greece maintains its sovereign right to extend its territorial waters to 12 nautical miles. He also solidified plans for a Greece-Cyprus electricity interconnection cable, rejecting calls for route adjustments.
Why it matters
The statement reinforces Greece's stance on maritime rights amid ongoing tensions in the Aegean Sea. Maintaining open communication with Turkey is intended to preserve a functional diplomatic relationship and prevent potential regional crises.
Greece retains the legal right to extend its territorial waters to 12 nautical miles. The planned Greece-Cyprus electricity cable will proceed along the route selected by the contractor without passing through Turkish marine parks.
The players
George Gerapetritis
He serves as the Minister of Foreign Affairs for Greece and leads the nation's diplomatic efforts regarding maritime boundaries.
The details
Minister Gerapetritis stated that the survey and laying of the electricity interconnection cable will proceed as originally scheduled, with the government issuing necessary NAVTEX notices. He emphasized that structured dialogue remains active to manage relations with Turkey despite disputes over maritime boundaries.
Timeline
September 29, 2026: Minister Gerapetritis made the statements regarding territorial policy and cable routing.
Political Context
Turkey has long challenged Greece's maritime claims and specifically opposes the extension of territorial waters in the Aegean Sea. Opponents argue that such unilateral expansions could infringe upon what they consider contested zones or violate existing bilateral regional understandings.
Citizens and stakeholders in the region may see shifts in maritime operations as the government moves forward with planned cable installations. While the announcement clarifies the government's stance, it highlights a period of ongoing diplomatic management that could influence regional energy projects.
The takeaway
Greece continues to assert its sovereign rights in the Aegean while simultaneously pursuing critical energy infrastructure projects. The focus remains on balancing national maritime policy with a structured diplomatic approach to maintain regional stability.
Further reading
Learn more about the current International Relations landscape regarding maritime disputes.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Milletnews.
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