The Aegean Sea, a branch of the Mediterranean Sea, is situated in the Eastern Mediterranean, bordered to the west by Greece and to the east by the Asian part of Turkey, also known as Anatolia. This body of water is connected to the Black Sea via the Dardanelles, the Sea of Marmara, and the Bosphorus Strait. The southern boundary is typically marked by Crete, an island belonging to Greece. However, this geographical region has been a point of contention between Turkey and Greece due to issues around territorial sea boundaries and the presence of islands.
The Aegean Sea: A Physical Geography Overview
The Aegean Sea serves as a significant arm of the Mediterranean Sea. It forms part of the East Mediterranean Basin, with its geographical location defined by the Greek peninsula to the west and Anatolia, the Asian part of Turkey, to the east. Connections to other bodies of water are made through the straits of the Dardanelles, the Sea of Marmara, and the Bosphorus to the Black Sea. Its southern limit can be geographically demarcated by the island of Crete.
Maritime Dispute Between Turkey and Greece
A long-standing dispute over the Aegean Sea exists between Turkey and Greece, with three primary points of contention: the scope of the territorial sea, the presence of islands, and how continental shelves should be delimited between the two nations. Since 1936, Greece has claimed a 6 nautical-mile (nm) territorial sea, a claim Turkey also makes in the Aegean.
However, disagreement arises as the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea 1982 (UNCLOS) permits states to extend their territorial sea up to 12 nm from the shore. Greece has adopted this convention, while Turkey has refrained, choosing to adopt different approaches in various regions. This difference in perspective has added fuel to the existing dispute.
The Treaty of Lausanne: An Attempt at Resolution
The Treaty of Lausanne, signed in 1923, forms part of the context of this maritime dispute. This treaty aimed to address and resolve differences around the borders and sovereignty of Turkey after World War I and aimed to resolve conflicts in the region. However, as evidenced by the ongoing disputes over the Aegean Sea, the effectiveness of this treaty in achieving lasting resolution is questionable.
The Territorial Sea Dispute: The 6 Nautical-Mile Claim
At the heart of the Aegean Sea dispute are differing views on territorial sea boundaries. Since 1936, Greece has laid claim to a 6 nm territorial sea in the Aegean—a claim that Turkey echoes. However, where conflict arises is around the UNCLOS 1982 convention, which allows nations to extend their territorial sea up to 12 nm. It’s noteworthy that Greece has adopted this policy, whereas Turkey opts for different approaches depending on the region.
Island Presence and Continental Shelf Delimitation Issues
In addition to territorial sea boundaries, the maritime dispute also involves disagreements around island presence and continental shelf delimitation. There is contention around how these geographical features should be managed and split between Turkey and Greece—factors contributing to ongoing tensions.
This overview provides a broad understanding of the physical landscape of the Aegean Sea and the geopolitical disputes surrounding it. Although attempts have been made, such as the Treaty of Lausanne, to resolve these issues, there remains no definitive solution in sight.
