Athens responded immediately on Wednesday to the most recent Turkish territorial claims in the eastern Aegean, referring to “blatantly illegal” positions expressed earlier by Turkey’s foreign ministry.
Official Ankara this week upped the ante of claims in the region by saying that the two Imia rock islets, which it calls “Kardak”, as well as territorial waters and airspace surrounding them is “exclusively under Turkish sovereignty”.
The development means that Ankara has graduated from its previous “grey zones” strategy to now claiming isles, islets and outcrops.
“Greek sovereignty over the Imia (islets) is indisputable … while as the European Union calls on Turkey to respect European law, the latter responds with a provocative announcement … It (Turkey) repeats a blatantly illegal position, ignoring the fact that the Aegean’s (Sea) legal status is absolutely guaranteed by International Law, “a statement by the Greek foreign ministry read.
The latest radical claims out of Ankara came in reaction to criticism of the neighboring country, included in the EU Commission’s annual report on Turkey’s accession course, which was unveiled this week.
