Calling the existence of Turkey’s “casus belli” decision concerning Greek claims of the right to expand its territorial waters from six nautical miles to 12 nautical miles as unacceptable, Greek Foreign Ministry spokesman Grigoris Delavekouras said on Thursday that Greece had a sovereign right to extend its territorial waters under both maritime and European law.
“It is inconceivable that there is a threat of war by a candidate state against a member-state of the EU, given the framework in which international relations develop in our times. It is up to Turkey to abolish it,” the spokesman was quoted as saying by the Athens news agency when asked about recent statements made on the issue by Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu. In 1995, Turkey declared that any Greek attempt to extend its territorial waters in the Aegean Sea to 12 miles would constitute a “casus belli,” a reason to go to war. Turkey’s declaration came after a Greek Parliament decision on territorial waters in Aegean Sea.
Earlier this week, Davutoğlu said Turkey expects Greece to lift its parliament’s decision. Turkey’s revised National Security Policy Document will exclude Greece from “foe” status but a vote in Parliament is needed to lift the “casus belli.”
