EDITOR’S NOTE (Nick Stamatakis). I had the good fortune to discuss these issues with Savvas Kalenteridis at least once, and I can say with confidence that I consider his position absolutely correct.
As I have mentioned before, I was the secretary of the NY Federation’s Foreign Policy Committee in 2010–11. During that period, we introduced Professor Kariotis to our community and helped initiate a substantial discussion on the EEZ and Greece’s right to extend its territorial waters to 12 nautical miles. Sir Basil Markezinis later became involved as well, and these issues consequently moved to the forefront of our community’s foreign-policy discussions.
In view of the current circumstances, as Israel and Turkey are on the brink of a confrontation, it is an opportune time for Greece to go ahead and declare a 12-mile zone at the same time as it declares a united EEZ with Cyprus. Greece is the ONLY country on Earth that doesn’t have a 12-mile territorial water zone!!
Kalenderidis in the video below (English Subtitles) argues that Greece has handled its maritime dispute with Turkey too cautiously, allowing Turkish claims in the Aegean to expand over time.
- He claims he was told that Greece and Turkey have informally reached understandings over the Aegean, including a Turkish position that Greek islands should not receive full Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZs), though he provides no evidence of a signed agreement.
- He says Turkey unsuccessfully tried to incorporate its Aegean positions into the international Law of the Sea framework, and that Turkey’s refusal to sign UNCLOS reflects the fact that those positions were not accepted internationally.
- He highlights Turkey’s 1995 casus belli, under which Turkey’s parliament authorized possible military action if Greece extends its territorial waters in the Aegean beyond six nautical miles.
- He argues that successive Greek governments have been deterred by this threat, even though Greece maintains it has the legal right to extend territorial waters to 12 nautical miles under the Law of the Sea.
- In his view, Greece’s reluctance has created space for broader Turkish maritime claims, culminating in the “Blue Homeland” (Mavi Vatan) doctrine.
- He argues that Greece should seriously consider extending its territorial waters to 12 miles, suggesting Turkey would be unlikely to launch a full-scale war because of NATO consequences and international opposition.
- He also makes strong claims about Greece’s military superiority in a possible conflict, particularly regarding naval, air-defense, and air-force capabilities.
- His overall conclusion is that Greece’s policy of restraint has not reduced tensions but has instead “self-trapped” the country and encouraged increasingly expansive Turkish demands.
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Greece without provocations to anyone, should clear -up the 12-Mile concern with International Diplomacy. Subsequently, International Law requires careful affirmation
to avoid disputes or military conflict. It is the appropriate time to make the
legal claim : If the USA/NATO can come to the defense of Ukrainian
Sovereignty-a non NATO Ally ?? without hesitation, USA/NATO has a much more serious obligation , a duty to Greek Sovereignty;
as a staunch member of NATO , with its epic history of being on the Right Side
of History , by its supportive heroic role in WWI and WWII.
I’m beginning to see the continued fracturing of NATO. Am I overseeing things?
Nick
You made the correct observation, “Greece is the ONLY country on earth that doesn’t have a 12 mile territorial water zone””!! Why the neglect? Why the oversight??
If this is an opportunity to state the case ,the Greeks need to get more
motivated in their communities in the Diaspora and in Greece ,to internationally protest in solidarity. I will share some of my ideas as graphic designer to advance the goodwill spirit to obtain this mission.
The Seattle Seahawks won the Super Bowl in 2026 with the help of the 12 Man Flag – representing the fans in the NFL – from Seattle, WA.
Instead of inviting Zelensky to the $1500 dinner at St. Nicholas ,its board members should invite Sec. Rubio , the UN Folks, Leaders of Nations from the Mediterranean Sea, The Ambassador
from Greece and at least 12 mayors from their respective Aegean Islands from Greece to endorse the neglected cause. It is also an opportunity for all Greek Orthodox Festivals in the Diaspora to highlight
the 12 Mile Limit-Graphic- in back of their official t-shirts. All vendors selling t-shirts /logos from the Aegean Islands should be selling 12-Mile Souvenirs to international tourists to buy and wear-today! The Greek Orthodox Churches throughout the world , should strike their bells 12 times at 12 0′
Clock in solidarity to be heard around the world. Our Modern Greek Studies Programs in the USA should support in their agendas ,which impact US Foreign Policy in regards to UNCLOS and the 12 Mile Limit. The Cretans and some Greek Island citizens are protesting against Israeli Tourists to promote Palestinian Rights-yet they ignore to protest in unison as one voice in solidarity , which is of the highest priority for Greek Sovereignty.
When the Mitsotaki’s Government witnesses the mobilization not only, from his
constituents, but a highly energized international movement to convey a loud and clear voice on the 12 Mile Limit honorable cause, it will get the message, not to retreat from Turkish Threats. This will help fortify to accomplish the mission that is on the radar that Kalenteridis and others, by their collective opinion , in order to
present to legitimize the neglected 12-Mile Limit Issue. This is a very crucial cause that needs to be consummated and not to be ignored at this time and space , to determine the Greek Status that impacts all people in the Mediterranean Sea. All Hellenes in Solidarity ! We thank you for the
Article.
So what happens when Turkiye declares 12 mile territorial waters in the Aegean?
The EU has indicated that it needs the Turkish military for defense, and this alone might be the reason for accepting Turkiye into the EU. Brussels could override the “petty” squabble over the Aegean by combining Greece and Turkiye into a new and separate border-free zone, just like Schengen.
No borders, no problems, right?
Turkey declaring a 12-mile territorial water zone will never happen. Why? Because it will give Greece the opportunity to do the same and then the Aegean becomes as close as the Bosporus Straights and the Dardanelles because of the many Greek islands next to each other. As I have said many times to talk geopolitics the foundations are geography and history. Without looking at a map you cannot discuss these things.
All analysts agree that the time Turkey will enter the EU will be NEVER. That kind of consensus is very rare!!
There is a clause in the EU treaties called “enhanced cooperation” that allows “at least nine capitals to forge ahead with certain policy measures when majority voting would normally be required”:
https://www.euractiv.com/news/eu-leaders-to-decide-on-two-speed-europe-economy-plan-in-cyprus/
Such a mechanism is already being put forth towards creating a “two speed” Europe with some countries having deeper integration into the EU than others.
On this basis, we could see a separation of Europe, and it might follow along the lines of historically Roman Catholic countries (western Europe) relying on Turkish defense (the Ottomans).
Greece is already a full Schengen member. Turkiye wants to be a Schengen member, and turkish nationals can already apply for and receive Schengen visas. If western Europe separately integrates with Turkiye, then perhaps Turkiye could be given Schengen privileges, the buffer zone being Eastern Europe.
So in the name of EU progress we may see the projected return of the “Holy Roman” and Ottoman Empires.
Joseph,
Now it’s a “petty” squabble? Do you know how much blood was spilled to free the Aegean from the Turks?
Not only do you promote Uniate propaganda, but now you play into the Turkish propaganda handbook, too…
Which “Master” do you work for these days, anyway?
And now it’s a “no borders, no problems” slogan, eh? Not a surprise coming from a proponent of the Uniate playbook, which involves “compromising the Canonical boundaries” and violations of Canonical Order that St. Mark of Ephesos and other Church Fathers have defended over the centuries to prevent Schisms, heresies, and general apostasy.
Your views on the Aegean are both insulting and hostile to anyone who has ancestry that fought to free Greece from the Turks. But at least we can all agree on one point… Your opinions on this topic will make you an even bigger “laughing stock” whenever the remaining prophesies of St. Kosmas on the Turks manifest…
Markos, sacarsm is harder to convey in the written word, so that’s why I put “petty” in quotation marks. My point is that those in the EU who want Turkiye’s accession and military help most likely view the border conflicts between Greece and Turkiye as “petty”.
Joseph,
Name one EU country that is currently SERIOUSLY lobbying for Turkish accession to the EU…go ahead…
But since it seems you like to insert yourself into conversations that you have no real understanding of, do you remember which Greek government in recent history called the EU bluff, and proposed Turkish accession, only to expose the Germans and the French, who were forced to publicly tell their true [contrary] opinion on the matter?
Markos, the thing is, the EU doesn’t have a military worth anything. The EU has been reliant on the U.S. military for decades. Now that seems to be ending. Last month’s NATO summit in Ankara, with Trump escaping in a food cart, should be a hint of things to come.
The Aegean borders dispute with Greece and the occupation of Cyprus are probably the foremost obstacles for Turkish accession to the EU. The Simitis government thought that calling for Turkish accession would tame the Turks into adapting to EU standards, but that didn’t happen, and it likely won’t happen either. What I’m saying is that when a group of at least nine EU members from western Europe become convinced of the need for deeper integration with the Turkish military, they will likely throw Greece and Cyprus under the bus. Greece is already a Schengen member, and if they make Turkiye a member also, then from their viewpoint, “no borders, no problems.”
https://www.dw.com/en/eu-looking-to-deepen-defense-ties-with-turkey/video-74392682
Joseph – it is not only opposing Turkish accession to the EU. It is also Germany, France and other who understand that with 80 million Turks inside the EU they will lose/minimize their power. And finally, Turkey itself has the “megalomaniac” (this is a central trait of the ethnic identity/national character of Turks) idea that it will become a regional and global power. They have inherited Phanariot diplomacy and learned to play all sides. They are playing a losing game and eventually they will have to choose sides. They are very likely to choose “East” (Iran, Russia, China, BRICS), as the financial center of gravity lies there. Whatever they choose the West will attack them and – since they are already divided inside Turkey with the Kurds approaching 50% of the population) it is likely that they will split in two or three pieces. They fear the Russians more than any other power.
Helleniscope, did you notice that Merz and Macron recently advocated for Ukraine to have “associate membership” within the EU? This was subsequently rejected by Zelensky because it was not full membership. Ukraine would have representation at EU meetings, but not voting rights. It would have been an example of a second-tier EU membership.
Turkiye currently has EU candidate status, and EU accession is stalled for obvious reasons. Yet this may not prevent a group of western European countries from integrating with Turkiye’s military and conferring a second-tier “associate membership” to solve the impasse. Without any other viable EU system of defense in place, western Europe will likely want the Turkish military as their defensive front line.
As for the threat of Turkish megalomania, it is geographically insulated from western Europe by eastern Europe, by those countries formerly part of the Ottoman Empire. That puts eastern Europe between a rock and a hard place though, between Turkiye and Russia. Would they side with Russia? Quite possibly they would, but keep in mind that either way is in the interests of the Israeli State. The bottom line is that Israel wants a war against both, Russia and Turkiye.
Turkey under Erdogan has extended (at least cultural claims – this is “soft” power) throughout the lands of the former Ottoman Empire, including the Balkans, as we very well know. Does she have even a 1% chance of being accepted into the EU? No. It is much more likely for the EU to disintegrate under the pressure of the enormous defeat in Ukraine. There are many imaginary plans for Turkey to militarily assist the EU and the West against Russia. I underline imaginary. The Turks have a long history of military defeats at the hands of the Russians, and they would not dare. We Greeks owe our independence to the 1829 Treaty of Adrianople, when the Russian Army came within 30 miles of Constantinople, and the Sultan was forced to sign the treaty. In a few words: the Turks wet their pants in the thought that they would have to face the Russians, especially in the current situation when the Russians are about 15-20 years ahead in missile technology and the West is practically “demilitarized”: Please see the countless statements – including by Trump himself – that the US cannot produce Patriots and other systems fast enough to compete globally.
Yes, what is this “Turkiye” BS? In English, we say Turkey. We don’t call Hungary “Magyarorszag”, nor Finland “Suomi”, nor Scotland “Alba”.
By default, anyone that wants to “kiss up” to Erdogan uses that naming convention these days, because it was Erdogan’s “grand commandment” (so let it be written, so let it be done) that the entire world “must adhere” to this naming convention (spelling and pronunciation)…maybe that’s what Joseph is doing…who knows….What we do see in this forum however, is that he routinely promotes Uniate, Phanariote, and Fordhamite propaganda…and there are some well-known individuals within those circles who have “kissed up” to Erdogan in the past…perhaps someone in those circles is pleased with the ongoing “troll-a-thon” show that he continues to display?…
On Tuesdays and Thursdays, I say Turkey BLT!
That’s odd…what we actually hear from you on most days is B.S.
(Bologna Sandwich)… :)