It is true that Greek-Turkish relations have been in the doldrums in recent months, with December 7 being a turning point, following the signing of the "Declaration of Friendship and Good Neighbourliness" between the two countries.
However, as we have pointed out in previous articles, Turkey has not taken a step back from its claims against us, while it is an oxymoron that on the one hand we say that we are friends and good neighbours and on the other hand the Turks' "Casus Belli" against our country is still in existence.
Stylianides: "Thorn in the side of the casus belli for the substantial improvement of Greek-Turkish relations"
This was pointed out by our MP Euripides Stylianides, who said that as long as the "casus belli" received by the Turkish Parliament in 1995 remains in force, it will continue to be a "thorn" between the two countries.
According to Turkish media, Euripides Stylianides, a Rhodope MP from the ruling New Democracy Party in Greece, assessed the "normalization process" between Ankara and Athens.
The senior politician referred in a "realistic way" to the Erdogan-Mitsotakis meeting and the Athens Declaration signed, reminding "what they should not forget".
Stressing that problems continue despite the positive agenda between the two countries, the Greek MP referred to the Aegean Sea, saying that "We cannot ignore the 12 nautical miles, which are an integral part of our national sovereignty. As long as this issue is a cause of war for Turkey, it will continue to be a thorn in our relations with Turkey."
Stylianides has previously served as Minister of Interior, Minister of Education and Minister of Transport and Communications in his country.
The three (3) phases of extending our territorial waters to 12 nm
Greece has increased its territorial waters in the Ionian Sea to 12 miles in 2021. In his speech at the Parliament, Prime Minister Mitsotakis asserted that his country has the right to extend its territorial waters and said that they have taken measures in this regard in accordance with international law and the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.
Stressing that Athens retains this right in other sea areas such as the Ionian Sea, Mitsotakis said they plan to extend their territorial waters in a similar way to the east of Crete in the next stage.
While Athens aims to take steps in Crete and its environs in the second part of the three-stage territorial waters plan, in the final stage it wants to extend its territorial waters in the Aegean to 12 miles.
The Greek acceptance of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea and the "casus belli" decision of the Turks
Greece announced that it had accepted the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea on 31 May 1995 and intends to increase its territorial waters to 12 miles. On the other hand, the Turkish Grand National Assembly, in a resolution of 8 June 1995, stated that it would take all necessary measures in the event that a territorial sea regime of more than 6 miles was imposed in the Aegean Sea.
The decision taken at that time with the participation of all parties was as follows:
"Greece has expressed its desire to increase its territorial waters to 12 miles by taking advantage of certain provisions of the Convention on the Law of the Sea, which are mainly defined for the high seas and oceans.
If this happens, Greece would bring under its sovereignty about 72% of the Aegean Sea.
It is inconceivable that Turkey would accept such a situation that would allow it to reach the seas and oceans of the world through Greek territorial waters. Turkey has vital interests in the Aegean. Although the Turkish Grand National Assembly hopes that the Greek government will not decide to extend the territorial waters in the Aegean beyond 6 miles in a way that would upset the balance established by Lausanne, in the event of such a possibility, the government of the Republic of Turkey will take the military measures necessary to protect and defend the vital interests of our country. "It was decided to grant all powers, including force, and to announce this situation to the Greek and world public opinion with friendly feelings".
The issue of territorial sea expansion was also included as a priority threat in the National Security Policy Document, known as the "Red Book", which defines Turkey's foreign policy.
Bülent Arınç's objections to the "casus belli"
In 2005, the Speaker of the Turkish Grand National Assembly, Bülent Arınç, claimed that the decision to consider the extension of its territorial waters from Greece to 12 miles as a cause of war (casus belli) was taken without a vote in Parliament in 1995.
He said at the time that the decision should be repealed on the grounds that it obstructed relations with Athens. Arinç used the following statements:
"From what I understand, the casus belli decision seems to have caused discomfort in the Greek parliament. You know, there was a decision of the Parliament in 1995. That is why a friendly atmosphere could not be created.
I looked it up, it's not even a decision. Somebody said, 'Let's vote on it', but Camer Gents didn't even put it to a vote.
We need to take a look at this. There seems to be a barrier to developing relationships. Exploratory talks between Turkey and Greece to resolve the Aegean problems are continuing and going well. "At this time this decision should be repealed".
The three (3) energy projects in the SE Mediterranean-Aegean and the removal of the Casus Belli
At the present stage, three energy projects are underway with a focus on the SE Mediterranean and the Aegean, East Med , Euro-Asia Interconnector and Euro-Africa Interconnector.
However, in all three of the above energy projects, their route generally follows the SE Mediterranean-Aegean Sea route, with Turkey not being part of them, which has caused Ankara so far a lot of problems for the US-EU in the SE Mediterranean, with Erdogan reaching the brink of war with Greece in the summer of 2020.
Our assessment is that the Turkey-Greece rapprochement that is being attempted is based on energy in the SE Mediterranean, with the determination of the energy pie for each country preceding the delimitation of the EEZ-continental shelf of the two countries according to the Turks (kazan-kazan).
The above approach seems to be in line with the US-EU, which has every reason to unlock the transfer of electricity from Asia-Africa and gas from the SE Mediterranean (Cyprus-Israel) to the European continent.
The war in Ukraine has also demonstrated the importance of Alexandroupolis for the US, which is supplying Zelensky with a wealth of war material for his country's battle against Russia.
The US-EU therefore wants peace in the Aegean.
As for the lifting of the casus belli by the Turks , our conviction is that it will happen if and when we earlier accept with the consent of Ankara the local extension of our territorial waters in the Aegean from 6nm to 8nm-10nm, in areas without hydrocarbons, since it is known that the Aegean is already mapped,
