Ministry of Foreign Affairs statement on Turkey’s new illegal NAVTEX (21 July 2020)

Today’s announcement of Turkish surveys in a section of the Greek continental shelf, through a new illegal Navtex, constitutes an escalation of the tension in our region.

It highlights Turkey’s persistence in violating international legality and its complete contempt for International Law, the International Law of the Sea, the rules governing good neighbourly relations and the urgings of the European Union.

Our Embassy in Ankara has already carried out a demarche to the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs and our Missions have already raised the issue at the EU, NATO and the UN, as well as in the capitals of the permanent members of the UN Security Council.

We call on Turkey to immediately cease its illegal activities, which violate our sovereign rights and undermine peace and security in the region.

The only path to stability in the region is respect for international legality.