1st Edition

Turkey and Greece The Aegean Disputes

By Deniz Bölükbasi Copyright 2004

    The Aegean disputes between Turkey and Greece represent one of the longest-standing contemporary conflicts in existence.These disagreements encompass a wide range of issues, including the seabed, maritime areas and airspace of the Aegean. The territorial status of a number of islands and rocks, as well as specific demilitarization conferred upon Greek islands in the Eastern Aegean under international treaties, is also a matter of dispute.

    The Aegean disputes, which still remain unresolved, are a major source of tension and conflict in Turkish-Greek relations. The stalemate in reaching a settlement is liable to give rise to new frictions resulting in an acute strain on relations. From time to time the disputes have erupted into crisis bringing the two countries to the verge of confrontation. These disputes are immensely complex and involve a broad range of interrelated issues with complicated political and legal aspects.

    This study represents the first attempt of its kind, providing in a single volume a comprehensive review and analysis of the legal and political aspects of the Aegean disputes which constitute a unique case study in international law, involving two neighbours in the Aegean that share a unique history and geography.

    Background History; Maritime Areas in the Aegean and the Outstanding Issues Related to Territorial Sea; The Aegean Geography; The Status in the Aegean with Respect to Maritime Areas; The Significance of the Aegean Sea for Navigation; Legal Framework Regarding Navigation in the Aegean; The Unique Case of the Aegean: Vital Importance of Preserving the Status Quo with Respect to the Breadth of the Territorial Sea; The Greek Policy, Practice and Legislation on the Issue of Territorial Sea in a Historical Context; The Greek Position and its Legal Case on the Territorial Sea Limits in the Aegean; Turkeys Policy, Practice and Legislation in a Historical Context; The Essence of Turkeys Position; The Basis of the Turkish Case Regarding The Extent of the Territorial Sea in the Aegean; Conclusions.

    Biography

    Ambassador Deniz Bolukbasi is a graduate of the Law School, University of Ankara. He joined the Foreign Ministry of Turkey in 1973 and served in several foreign missions including Athens, Moscow, Bonn and NATO. He served as Turkish Ambassador in Lisbon during 1999-2001 and subsequently held the position of First Legal Advisor and Head of the Legal Department of the Foreign Ministry.