Statement by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Nikos Dendias, on the publication in Turkey’s Government Gazette of applications submitted to the Turkish government for granting of exploration and exploitation permits to the Turkish Petroleum Corporation

Statement by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Nikos Dendias, on the publication in Turkey’s Government Gazette of applications submitted to the Turkish government for granting of exploration and exploitation permits to the Turkish Petroleum Corporation (TPAO) (1 June 2020) “The publication in Turkey’s Government Gazette of a series of applications submitted by the Turkish Petroleum Corporation for the granting of exploration and exploitation permits in regions within Greece's continental shelf, is one of many actions through which Turkey is attempting to usurp step-by-step Greece's sovereign rights.

It is a follow-up to the null and void Turkey-Libya memorandum.  Turkey’s illegal actions produce no legal effects and cannot encroach upon Greece’s sovereign rights, which are enshrined in International Law and the International Law of the Sea.

We should be clear on this. Our positions on this specific issue and on the consequences of Turkey’s illegal conduct are a given. Turkey has repeatedly been informed of these positions.  Greece has been and remains fully prepared to respond to this provocation as well, should Turkey decide in the end to go through with it.”

June 1, 2020