Turkey announced on Thursday that the planned undersea cable to connect the electricity networks of Greece, Cyprus, and Israel cannot pass through the maritime areas that Turkey claims rights over without coordination with Ankara.
Turkey's Positions on Maritime Rights
The Turkish Ministry of Defense stated in a written statement: "According to international law, activities such as the installation of cables or pipelines, as well as conducting scientific research on our continental shelves, must be coordinated in advance with our country." These remarks were made following questions regarding the multi-billion euro undersea cable known as the "Great Maritime Link." This cable is designed to connect the electricity networks of Greece, Cyprus, and ultimately Israel.
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Maritime Agreements and Legal Dimensions
The Turkish Ministry also clarified that the need for coordination arises from Turkey's maritime agreement with Libya in 2019 and the definition Ankara provided to the United Nations regarding its continental shelves in 2020. These agreements grant Turkey the right to oversee various activities in the Mediterranean waters over which it claims rights.
Such statements from Turkey come at a time when tensions in the Mediterranean region, especially concerning energy resources, are increasing. The undersea cable project, aimed at creating a stable and interconnected electricity network among the mentioned countries, could facilitate economic and energy cooperation in the region, but it also faces legal and political challenges.
As a key player in this region, Turkey has consistently emphasized its maritime rights and the necessity of coordination with neighboring countries in this regard. These positions could have profound impacts on the future of energy cooperation in the Mediterranean and affect political and economic relations between countries.
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