Ankara: The Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs has urged Greece to abstain from undertaking “unilateral actions” in enclosed or semi-enclosed seas, following Greece’s announcement of establishing two marine parks in the Aegean and Ionian Seas.

According to National Iraqi News Agency, the Turkish ministry issued a statement asserting that the creation of these marine parks will not bear any legal implications concerning the ongoing disputes between Turkey and Greece in the Aegean Sea. The statement underscored the significance of cooperation as encouraged by international maritime law, particularly among coastal states, even in environmental matters.

The concept of a marine park involves the protection or designation of a sea or lake area for recreational activities, aiming to preserve specific environments and ensure the ecosystem’s sustainability for the residing organisms. Most marine parks are classified as “aquatic” national parks by governments and organizations.

The Ministry expressed Turkey’s readiness to collaborate with Greece, reiterating its commitment to a sincere and comprehensive resolution of issues based on international law, fairness, and the principles of good neighborliness, as outlined in the Athens Declaration of December 7, 2023. In line with this, Ankara is set to announce environmental protection projects in maritime regions soon.