“12 Miles Without Retreat”: Greece’s Firm Response to Turkey at the UN

Greece has launched a fully documented counteroffensive against Turkey’s claims, submitting an official letter to the United Nations in response to Ankara’s memorandum from February.

Athens’ position is clear and leaves no room for misinterpretation:

• The right to extend territorial waters to 12 nautical miles is inalienable
• The casus belli threat is rejected as illegal
• Territorial sovereignty is indivisible and fully guaranteed

Legal “Demolition” of Turkish Claims

In its March 31, 2026 letter, Greece dismisses Turkey’s positions as:

• “Unfounded and unlawful”
• Producing no legal consequences
• Contrary to international law

Athens argues that Ankara:

• Completely ignores the rights of Greek islands
• Attempts to redraw geography in the Aegean and Eastern Mediterranean
• Uses a selective and misleading interpretation of international jurisprudence

The “Weapon” of the Law of the Sea

A central pillar of Greece’s argument is the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), which provides:

• Territorial waters up to 12 nautical miles
• Full rights to Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZ) and continental shelves for islands
• Exceptions only for “rocks” without economic life

Greece stresses that Turkey’s claims of limited island rights constitute a:

• “Blatant violation of fundamental principles of international law”

Casus Belli: “Illegal Threat of Use of Force”

Special emphasis is placed on Turkey’s threat of war if Greece extends its waters.

Greece clarifies:

• The 12-mile right remains valid and enforceable
• The threat of war violates the UN Charter

Turkey–Libya Memorandum Declared “Invalid”

The Greece letter also targets the Turkey–Libya maritime agreement:

• Described as legally void
• Ignores Greek islands entirely
• Produces no legal effect for any state

Also rejected:

• Turkey’s delimitation with northern Cyprus
• Turkish objections to the Greece–Egypt agreement

Maritime Spatial Planning: Clash of Maps

Greece accuses Turkey’s maritime planning of:

• Ignoring Greek islands and islets
• Including illegal licenses granted to the Turkish Petroleum Corporation
• Attempting unilateral imposition of “protected areas” خارج jurisdiction

Athens argues its own planning:

• Is based on the median line principle
• Fully complies with international law
• Does not violate Turkish rights

Calm Strategy, Legal Assertiveness

The Greek move sends three key messages:

1. Internationalization of the dispute Bringing the issue before the UN to gain international legitimacy
2. Deconstruction of Turkey’s narrative Responding legally rather than politically
3. Keeping communication channels open Reaffirming commitment to peaceful dispute resolution

Message to Ankara

Greece signals that:

• It will not accept any challenge to its sovereignty
• It remains open to dialogue — but strictly within international law

In a period of heightened tension in the Eastern Mediterranean, this letter acts as both a legal shield and a diplomatic warning that the dispute is moving to a more institutional and international level.

Source: pagenews.gr