TWELVE MILES NOW!

 TURKEY HAS DECLARED THAT A GREEK TWELVE MILE TERRITORIAL WATER IS A CAUSE FOR WAR.

There have been continuous Turkish demands  for the exclusion of the Greek Islands from the planning for the Greek EEZ (exclusive Economic Zone) with the Turkologic argument that islands cannot have Continental Shelf  and any settlement between the two countries should only take account the two main land masses.

We have researched extensively and the results are as follows:

The major rule by which Maritime matters are examined and settled is the Law of the Sea known as UNCLOS (United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea).

The Law has been  ratified by 168 countries; Turkey has not.

Below map 1, taken from Wikipedia

  Parties   Parties, dually represented by the European Union   Non-parties that are signatories   Non-parties that are not signatories

On the question: Do islands have a Continental Shelf, Google AI answers:

Yes, islands can have a continental shelf, but it depends on the island's origin and location. Continental islands, which were once part of a larger landmass, are typically located on a continental shelf. Oceanic islands, formed by volcanic activity, may or may not have a continental shelf. 

The Greek islands are Continental islands as Google AI states: 

These islands are simply parts of a continental shelf that have become separated from the mainland, often due to rising sea levels or geological activity. Examples include islands near continents, like those off the coast of Scotland.  By having a look at the sea bed of the Aegean this is obvious. 

Around 6 MYA the Aegean looked very different ( MAP 2), with very little water in the South and the Southwest. So the island areas were just part of the Continent.  Eventually Sea levels rose to create the Aegean basin.

This makes Turkish claims unfounded and illogical.

MAP 2

To disperse Turkish claims Greece must exercise its right to extend its territorial water to 12 miles as soon as possible otherwise it will be a hostage to Turkish demands.

Below, the 6 mile Greek territorial waters as they are today in the Aegean. MAP 3

And in MAP 4 the 12 mile territorial waters.

United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea

UNCLOS

MARITIME SPATIAL PLANNING: THE GRECO-TURK QUESTION

 The tensions never stop between Greece and Turkey

What happened to the Declaration of Athens? The Declaration was signed in 2023 and it was advertised as a major step towards the peaceful coexistence between the two countries. It has, however served as a panacea short lived. In the space of the last two years Turkey has used the Declaration to serve its own unholy purposes. 

After the continuing maritime infringements of illegal fishing in Greek waters came the two very serious provocations during the legal explorations for cable laying in the Aegean when Turkish warships prevented the operations to take place.

The first incident took place off the coast of Kasos and the second just 6 miles north of Crete\         .

In a latest development, the two countries published their Maritime Spatial Plannings.

These are shown the following maps.

MAP 1

The planning as drawn by Greece (having paid penalties for late publishing) after direction from the E.E. using E.E. and Law of the Seas (UNCLOS) mapping and .

MAP 2

The Turkish planning using a Home Brew methodology of  Turkologic Law that only Turkey understands and implements.

With the thick red line is indicated the mid distance between the two land masses which the Turks use in their Turkologic interpretation of International Law. According to that the Islands have no continental shelf and therefore they do not take part in counting towards Sovereignty rights.

In other words any island East of the thick red line does not belong to Greece.

The reaction from the Greek government has been at best lukewarm. 

In a connected development, Greek Foreign Secretary Mr. Gerapetritis has bowed twice in front of his boss. 

Athens Declaration on Friendly and Good-Neighborly Relations

The President of the Republic of Turkey, H.E. Mr. Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and the Prime Minister of the Hellenic Republic, H.E. Mr. Kyriakos Mitsotakis, representing their respective Governments (jointly referred to as “the Parties”), having chaired the 5th ^meeting of the Supreme Cooperation Council between the Republic of Turkey and the Hellenic Republic on 7 ^December 2023, in Athens, in a spirit of goodwill and cooperation,

PP 1. Recognizing the renewed will for cooperation between the Governments of the two countries,

PP 2. Underlining that the ties between the two neighboring nations have the potential to significantly increase the prosperity and dynamism of the region,

PP 3. Emphasizing the need to continue to work together for the benefit of both societies in a climate of friendship and mutual trust,

PP 4. Seeking to strengthen bilateral relations through existing institutional mechanisms,

PP 5. Stressing that, in order to strengthen good neighborly relations, both Parties, without prejudice to their respective legal positions, will cultivate a spirit of solidarity in the face of current and future challenges,

PP 6. Underlining that to promote this positive atmosphere and agenda, both Parties will encourage the exchange of visits at all levels with a results-oriented approach,

PP 7. Recalling that among the fundamental purposes of the Charter of the United Nations and the universally recognized principles of international law is the maintenance of international peace and friendly cooperation among States,

PP 8. Having resolved to cultivate friendly relations, mutual respect, peaceful coexistence and understanding and to settle any differences between them by peaceful means and in accordance with international law,

PP 9. Underlining the importance of effective channels and mechanisms of communication at all levels for the successful management of their bilateral relations, with particular emphasis on avoiding conflict situations and potential escalation,

PP 10 Stressing that both Parties will approach their relations with the aim of strengthening economic cooperation and deepening people-to-people ties, thereby contributing to the prosperity and peaceful coexistence of their two neighboring peoples, further stressing that to this end, in light of the significant progress achieved in advancing the positive agenda on economic and trade issues through the Joint Action Plan, the two sides will explore additional areas of cooperation,

They agreed on the following:

OP 1. The Parties agree to engage in continued constructive and substantive consultations based on the following pillars:

(a) Political Dialogue :

– on matters of mutual interest

– Exploratory/Consultative conversations

(b) Positive Agenda, within the framework of the enhanced Joint Action Plan, which includes measures of common interest in the areas of entrepreneurship-economy, tourism, transport, energy, innovation, science and technology, agriculture, environmental protection, social security and health, youth, education and sports and any other area jointly agreed upon, with the aim of achieving important and specific deliverables, rationalizing and continuously updating the agenda, in a structured manner and with new issues.

(c) Confidence-Building Measures, which include measures in the military sector that would contribute to the elimination of unjustified sources of tension, as well as the risks arising from them,

OP 2. The Parties undertake to refrain from any statement, initiative, or action that could undermine or discredit the letter and spirit of this Declaration or jeopardize the maintenance of peace and stability in their region.

OP 3. The Parties shall endeavour to resolve any dispute arising between them amicably, through direct consultations between them or by other means of mutual choice, as provided for in the Charter of the United Nations.

This Declaration does not constitute an international agreement binding on the Parties under international law. Nothing in this Declaration shall be construed as creating legal rights or obligations for the Parties.

Done at Athens, this 7th ^day of December 2023, in duplicate, each in the Turkish, Greek and English languages, all texts being equally authentic. In the event of any difference of interpretation, the English text shall prevail.

NATO INFORMAL MEETING OF FOREIGN MINISTERS IN ANTALIA: AN ANTIQUITY PERSPECTIVE

The meeting was convened in Antalia-Turkey. 

The pictures from the meeting  with  the Roman Temple of Apollo as a backdrop.                         

 It is always very interesting to see the culture of a country promoted in international events, (irony). 

The foreign Minister of Turkey Mr Fidan speaking dwarfed by the Pillars of the Temple.

Greek foreign Minister Gerapetritis hiding during the commemorative photo shoot. He is behind the arrow.

Below, the Anatolian Area before the Ottoman  Turkificaction 

GREEK WRITING: AN UPDATE

CONTACT 

GREEK FOREIGN POLICY: ANALYSIS

 The most important analysis on Greek foreign policy I've heard

Marina Skordeli is currently a Special Scientific Associate to the Scientific Council of the Hellenic Parliament and she works as Foreign Policy Advisor to the former Prime Minister of Greece, Kostas Karamanlis. She is also a Research Fellow at the Jean Monnet European Centre of Excellence of the University of Athens and Academic Supervisor of its European Maritime Policy Unit. 

From 2009 – 2020, she was the Director of the Jean Monnet European Centre of Excellence. From 2004 – 2009, she held the position of Foreign Policy Advisor to the Prime Minister of Greece. Between 2002 and 2004, she worked as a Political Advisor of the European People’s Party in Brussels. Before that, she worked as Research Associate at the International Relations and European Affairs Secretariat of the Nea Demokratia Party in Greece and as a Researcher at the University of Athens. This information from:

                                                                         

I will not offer any thoughts of my own here. Just watch the interview by clicking  HERE

                                                                                                                      

CAN THEY HEAR HER?

ERDOGAN'S FOUR FINGER SALUTE

 A WARNING ON ERDOGAN'S AFFILIATIONS

I always wondered why Erdogan waved in this way. It looks unnatural and when I tried to do it it almost hurt my hand. So why does he do it?

Lo and behold, While I was watching a YOU TUBE clip the answer hit me!

It is the usual wave of the Muslim Brotherhood.  But what is the Muslim Brotherhood; I hear you say...read on.

ERDOGAN

MUSLIM BROTHERHOOD 

is a transnational Sunni Islamist organization founded in Egypt by Islamic scholar and schoolteacher Hassan al-Banna  in 1928.

Hassan al-Banna

    

ISLAMIST ORGANISATIONS are a range of religious and political  ideological movements that believe that Islam should influence political systems. In common, Islamist organisations are the militant entities that today we associate with intolerance, violence and fanaticism. Islamist organisations are responsible for the worst atrocities globally.

                                                                                                                 

Symbols of the Muslim Brotherhood, on the left the sword of Islam and on the right the R4BIA sign, used by Erdogan in his waving, which originated in Turkey In August 2013

Below the now Leader of the Syrian government Al-Sharaa, an Islamist Jihadist and beheader, now reformed into a suit wearing wolf in sheep's clothing.

Al-Sharaa

Look at the three men: don't let the serene look and the tie fool you.

The danger emanating from them  is imminent.

LONG LIVE DEMOCRACY

MARITIME ZONES, THE AEGEAN

 THE HELLENIC REPUBLIC JUST CAME TO ITS SENSES

A swift announcement defines Greece's interests on the Aegean and the East Med.

According to a government announcement yesterday, Greece delimits the borders of its Maritime Spacial Planning. 

A long awaiting delimitation, has been the object of an E.E. order and pending fines if Greece does not adhere to E.E. rulings.

The planning also indicates the intentions of Greece for the extension of its territorial waters to 12 miles.

Below the map of the Planning.

And below here, an unofficial Turkish answer. The red line indicates the extend of the Turkish claim which splits the Aegean in half. 

This joke results from the absurd Turkish notion that the Greek islands have no continental shelf, therefore the Turks assume (against International Law), that the middle distance between the two countries is the middle distance between mainlands.

WHAT A BUNCH OF CLOWNS! They think they can create their own law of the sea. Here is what actually is the law click below:

     INTERNATIONAL LAW -UNCLOS

Below, the actual E.E. ruling shows the Greek territorial waters at 12 miles.

Ο ΝΟΩΝ ΝΟΕΙΤΩ
WHO UNDERSTANDS SEES

WHAT IS 3+1 IN INTERNATIONAL POLITICS?

 A NEW FORCE IS RISING IN THE EAST MED. IT'S THE 3+1

In order to safeguard their interests, three countries are cooperating in the political economic and defense level in the East Mediterranean. 

These interests are: Defense against revisionist forces, safe continuation of large international projects and greater communication nand cooperation. 

In addition to Israel, Greece and Cyprus, the U.S. have joined in a group which aims to promote common economic, political and geostrategic interests, hence 3+1. 

In May 9 2022 the following statement was issued by the U.S. State Department:

"The foreign ministers of the Republic of Cyprus, Hellenic Republic, State of Israel plus the United States held a virtual meeting today to reaffirm their shared commitment to promoting peace, stability, and prosperity in the Eastern Mediterranean.  In a critical period for Europe, the United States, and the world, the Ministers reaffirmed their commitment to the 3+1 format and decided to intensify their cooperation in the areas of energy, economy, climate action, emergency preparedness, and counterterrorism, contributing to resilience, energy security, and interconnectivity in the region.  The 3+1 support additional initiatives such as the Negev Summit that promote cooperation in the region.  The Ministers condemned the recent horrific terror attacks against Israelis, including the May 5 terror attack in Elad.  The Ministers decided to develop a roadmap with tangible deliverables for the coming year, and to set the stage for a follow-on meeting before the end of 2022."

This has taken shape as U.S. oil exploration giants EXXON and CHEVRON are involved in hydrocarbon exploration South of Crete. Additionally as the possibility of greater conflict between Israel and Turkey is imminent, Israel is relying on friendly democracies for security and support in the East Mediterranean in Greece and Cyprus.

So what are the developments of the Area needing protection?

1.  Great Sea Interconnector. Previously known as Euro Asia Interconnector. The electric cable connecting Israel, Cyprus and Greece.
2.  India Middle East European Corridor. The new Trade Transport Corridor.
3. Soon to be re-incarnated East Med. The Hydrocarbon/Hydrogen transport pipeline.
4. International security conflicts. Areas where international security is in danger eg the Operation Shields in the Yemen area where Greece is currently operating along with its allies to protect Shipping.

                                                                         1. GSI

2. IMEC

3. EAST MED

4. Operation Shields

YOU CANNOT BE SERIOUS!

ARE GREECE'S FORTUNES ABOUT TO CHANGE?

Or as the Greeks say: "tha hestoume sto taliro"

Watch this video and you will be impressed.

Partial transcript

Kalarritis: What is your opinion about the deposits in the South of Crete?

Zelilis:  As announced by EDEY there are 40 or 50 reefs of which half are in the EXXON fields and half in the CHEVRON fields which means we could have 40 or 50 ZOR equivalent fields. My estimate is that the deposits are huge, I think they will be the largest deposits in the world and things will change for Greece.

Kalarritis: 40, 50 ZOR???

Zelilis: Yes

Kalarritis: The is nowhere else such large concentration of hydrocarbons.

Zelilis: For sure. This Mediterranean mountain produces hydrocarbons continuously. I think this Mountain produces oil too.

Kalarritis: This is very impressive. Now everything changes.

Zelilis: Of course. That's why there are delays. Because some are pressing to stop the exploration; once this is achieved Greece will not need any energy imports; it will only export. It will get a geostrategic advantage and it will become a strong power.

                                                                        ZOR: The gigantic  Egyptian field 

EDEY: Ελληνική Διαχειριστική Εταιρεία Υδρογονανθράκων και Ενεργειακών Πόρων Α.Ε

            Hellenic Administrative Company for Hydrocarbons and Energy 

                                Double click on the video for full screen

                                                Click on the text below for the video

                      THEY ARE HUGE!👀

THE DEATH OF THE TURKISH-LIBYAN ACCORD

 TURKISH-LIBYAN ACCORD YOK

Or how the Turkish "Blue Homeland" is negated

As can be seen on the map, the announcement of the exploration blocks by Greece directly overlaps the Brown line of the Turko-Libyan accord. With Chevron interested in these fields it becomes apparent that the future explorations will negate the illogical and absurd position of Turkey on matters of EEZ. Of course it remains to seen if Turkey will create problems for any explorers. 

LET'S LEARN FROM HISTORY

HYDROCARBON EXPLORATION IN GREECE

The history of the decision to facilitate rights to Exxon and Chevron

The Maniatis law specified the use of the middle line for EEZs  disputed or not agreed yet between two nations.

NEWS FLASH

GREEK GOVERNMENT HAS ANNOUNCED SEA BLOCKS FOR EXPLORATION SOUTH/SOUTH EAST OF CRETE

In a surprise move Greece has just announced the availability of field blocks for exploration South and South East of Crete. These are fields for which Chevron has shown an interest after their involvement in the Peloponnese fields.

Things seem to be moving for energy production in Greece.

QUIET AND UNDERSTATED POLITICS WIN THE DAY

HOW IS GREECE BALANCING THE BOOKS ON INTERNATIONAL TRADING?

TRADE BALANCE GREECE TO THE WORLD

The following table shows the trade balance of Greece with its most important partners.  It is evident that the country has a major trade deficit with most of the trading countries. One can see where the biggest deficits are shown with bold letters. 

One of the most offending imports is Petroleum. It is also evident that although Medicines are both imports and exports the balance between them is negative. The question is what must Greece do to level its total dependency on imported goods.

             Is it time it starts taking producing energy seriously?

The following table shows the total deficit in the trade balance of the top seven exporters to Greece. As it can be seen the total amount is 28.829 Billion dollars where the total deficit from all exporters to Greece is  31,0377 Billion.

A CONCISE GUIDE TO THE EVOLUTION OF LANGUAGE IN GREECE

 

This is the culmination of 7 years of research and is a very colourful guide of the history of language and writing in Greece

The book sells on eBay for £20