Dendias underlines islands’ maritime rights

Defense Minister Nikos Dendias, speaking on Symi during Thursday’s 80th anniversary of the German surrender in the Dodecanese, sent a pointed message to Turkey, affirming that islands possess full maritime rights under international law, including territorial waters, a contiguous zone, an exclusive economic zone (EEZ), and a continental shelf.

Addressing the ceremony, Dendias stressed that the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) applies equally to all islands, regardless of size. He cited the 2020 Greece-Egypt maritime agreement, which he helped broker, as the foundation for Greece’s EEZ in the region.

Dendias took a swipe at nations that joined the Allies late in World War II “opportunistically,” contrasting their actions with Greece’s heavy wartime losses, including nearly 10% of its population. He outlined Agenda 2030, a defense reform plan focused on deterrence and territorial defense, featuring the Achilles’ Shield strategic framework.

During his visit, Dendias toured the upgraded Agios Fanourios military outpost, commending donors for their contributions. He emphasized the importance of civic support for defense, noting donations rose from €350,000 in 2023 to €23.5 million in 2024.

Accompanied by senior military and local officials, Dendias urged sustained public and private investment in defense and expressed pride in the Armed Forces’ dedication to national security under demanding conditions.

Source: pagenews.gr