The sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries must be respected and protected, emphasizes State Departmentin connection with a recent incident in Pharmacywhere a Coast Guard vessel was harassed by Turkish current.

Responding to a question about the need for Turkey to comply with the territorial waters of the islands located in the eastern Aegean Sea, the representative of the US State Department confirmed, according to APE-MPE, the permanent American position calling on all parties to refrain from actions that risk heightening tensions in the Eastern Mediterranean.

As he pointed out, “there is no change in the US long-term position. We believe that the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries must be respected and protected. In principle, we call on all states to resolve the issues of maritime delimitation peacefully in accordance with international law. While the United States generally does not take sides in disputes over the maritime boundaries of other states, we call on all parties to refrain from any action that could escalate tensions in the Eastern Mediterranean. We continue to call on our allies and partners to work together to maintain peace and security in the region and to resolve disputes through diplomacy. We call on all our allies to avoid threats and provocative rhetoric that will only increase tensions and help no one.”

Letter from Dendias to Borel

Implementation of a European regulation prohibiting imports to EU member states. catch from Turkey due to illegal, illegal and unregulated (IUU) fishing practices carried out by Turkish fishing vessels in Greek territorial waters, is being requested by Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias in a letter to the EU High Representative. Foreign and Security Policy Josep Borel. The letter from Mr. Dendias was written regarding the recent illegal activities of Turkish fishermen in Pharmakonisi.

Mr. Dendias emphasizes that the illegal fishing incidents are another means of implementing Turkey’s revisionist policies and changing the status quo in the region. And notes that this practice increases the likelihood of an “accident” that Ankara can use to escalate tensions between Greece and Turkey. According to diplomatic sources, Mr. Dendias underlines the need for the EU, “if Turkey continues the above practice, to take measures that will entail economic costs for Turkey”, and asks for the implementation of the regulation (1005/2008) on combating IUU – fishing. , which provides that “if a third country fails to comply, it is designated as ‘non-cooperating’ and fishery products may be banned from the EU market.” Thus, Mr. Dendias notes, the EU will send a loud signal to Ankara.

Mr. Dendias describes the episode on January 5, when a Turkish offshore vessel pursued a Coast Guard patrol car in Greek territorial waters, which was on a mission to track down three Turkish fishing boats that were there illegally. According to the same diplomatic sources, in the letter the Minister of Foreign Affairs emphasizes that the often aggressive attitude of Turkish fishermen not only towards Greek fishing boats, but also towards Greek fishing boats is directed against the legitimate fishing activities of the Greeks. fishermen.