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The calm between Greece and Turkey did not even last three years: Clashes begin in the Aegean Sea

2026-08-31 17:13:05Kosova&Bota SHKRUAR NGA REDAKSIA VOX
The calm between Greece and Turkey did not even last three years: Clashes begin
The Greek island of Samothrace in the Aegean Sea. In the waters near this island, Turkey has declared a marine protected area, prompting reactions in Greece

Turkey declares two protected zones in a disputed maritime region, sparking a backlash in Athens. Is the old Aegean dispute entering a new phase of tension?

The period of calm in relations between Greece and Turkey did not last even three years. After the devastating earthquake in Turkey in February 2023 and the great support that Greece offered immediately afterwards, the two neighboring countries drew closer to each other. In December 2023, they signed the Athens Declaration on friendly relations and good neighborliness. This declaration had a positive impact on both peoples, but it seems that this effect has now faded.

During this long period of calm in Greek-Turkish relations, the two governments failed to take the necessary steps to resolve their disputes, mainly those related to the demarcation of maritime borders. Perhaps for this reason, even a measure that theoretically aims to protect the environment could once again become a source of tension in bilateral relations.

The cause of these new tensions: Turkey's declaration on August 15 of two marine protected areas, also known as marine parks, in the Aegean Sea and the Eastern Mediterranean. The one in the northeastern Aegean includes a protected area in the waters between the Greek islands of Limnos and Samothrace. The southern marine protected area is located east of Rhodes and surrounds the Greek island of Kastelorizo.

Greece and Turkey have been at odds for decades over the demarcation of their maritime borders in the Aegean Sea, as well as economic rights related to those borders and claims to natural resources, such as oil. Greece's Foreign Ministry reacted immediately to the announcement, calling the creation of these marine protected areas "illegal." Its statement said that Turkey's declaration of marine reserves in areas outside Turkish territorial waters has no legal effect.

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis stressed during a cabinet meeting on August 24 that he wants to maintain good relations with neighboring countries. However, he stressed that "the areas that are under Greek sovereignty are determined by international law." He added that Greece is "always ready to defend them."

Race to protect the seas?

A little over a year ago, Greece announced the creation of two marine protected areas in the Ionian Islands and the southern Cyclades, but within its territorial waters. At the time, Turkey stated that “unilateral measures should be avoided in enclosed or semi-enclosed seas such as the Aegean and Mediterranean.” However, now Turkey has declared its own marine protected areas without prior consultation. The so-called marine parks are large protected areas at sea, created to preserve sensitive marine ecosystems. It seems at first glance that for both countries, the declaration of these areas is only to a limited extent related to nature protection.

If they were truly concerned about the marine fauna in the ecologically sensitive Mediterranean, Greece and Turkey would surely have found a way to act together to protect it. Instead, the declaration of marine parks appears to be a new tactic to demonstrate dominance in this contested maritime space, the latest chapter in a decades-long dispute in the Aegean Sea.

The Doctrine of "Mavi Vatan" (Blue Homeland)

Greece is convinced that Turkey sees the marine protected areas as a means to question the sovereign rights of the Greek islands. Athens fears that the declaration of the two new zones is part of Turkey's revisionist "Mavi Vatan" doctrine, which means "Blue Homeland."

Through this doctrine, Turkey lays claim to the exclusive economic zones (EEZs) of Greece and Cyprus, i.e. maritime spaces where a coastal state enjoys special rights, for example for fishing or the exploitation of natural resources. In addition, Ankara also disputes sovereignty over a large number of Greek islands and islets. So far, this doctrine has been mainly theoretical and strategic in nature. It is advancing through legal initiatives in the Turkish parliament. With this, Turkey aims to formalize its claims for greater control over parts of the Aegean Sea and the Eastern Mediterranean.

The calm between Greece and Turkey did not even last three years: Clashes begin
A Turkish Navy warship participates in the "Mavi Vatan" military exercise - The operation is considered part of Ankara's strategy to emphasize its maritime claims in the region.

The constant threat

Greece itself is satisfied with the status quo in the Aegean Sea, but feels threatened by Turkey, which is unhappy with the current situation and has a significantly larger military force.

For this reason, Greece is investing significantly in fighter jets, frigates, submarines and air defense systems. After spending significantly less on arms imports for several years, according to data from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), Greece ranked 19th in the world among the largest importers of heavy weapons during the period 2021-2025.

Even when Athens creates new alliances or strengthens existing ones, the Turkish factor always plays an important role. Thus, in 2021, despite the objections of the Greek opposition, the Greek government sent Patriot anti-aircraft missiles to Saudi Arabia to protect Saudi refineries from attacks by Houthi rebels. This happened at a time when Saudi Arabia and Turkey were in political conflict. During a state visit to Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis explicitly referred to Turkey's role, describing it as "destabilizing and counterproductive."

The calm between Greece and Turkey did not even last three years: Clashes begin
Even when Athens creates new alliances or strengthens existing ones, the Turkish factor always plays an important role. Like the one with Saudi Arabia. But now relations between Ankara and Riyadh have improved with the creation of the Mecca defense agreement, Turkey, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia

Meanwhile, relations between Ankara and Riyadh have improved. On August 7, 2026, Turkey signed the Mecca Defense Pact, a significant agreement for cooperation in the field of defense, together with Saudi Arabia and Pakistan.

With Turkey in mind, Greece has also developed a strategic cooperation with Israel. Despite strong criticism within Greece due to the catastrophic humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis continues to maintain close relations with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The Greek Ministry of Defense views Israeli military technology with admiration and is planning to create a defense system over the Aegean Sea, based on the Israeli "Iron Dome" model.

This project, pompously called "Achilles' Shield", aims to protect the country from any possible threat, including those coming from neighbors. According to plans, the system is expected to be fully operational starting in 2029.

So far, Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has continued to adopt a conciliatory tone towards Turkey. However, new parliamentary elections will be held in Greece no later than the spring of 2027. The closer the elections get, the greater the temptation for Mitsotakis to present himself as a staunch patriot and significantly toughen his rhetoric towards Turkey./ DW 

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