Greece announces plans on maritime use, irking neighboring Turkey
Greece on Wednesday announced plans for managing human activities in maritime areas, such as tourism, offshore energy drilling, fishing and environmental protection, irking neighboring Turkey, which said the plans encroach on its jurisdiction.
The announcement about Greece's Maritime Spatial Planning came after the country was rebuked by the European Court of Justice earlier this year for failing to submit the plans to the European Commission, as all coastal European Union member states are required to do. Spatial planning for sea areas is considered necessary for the sustainable use of marine resources, setting out where activities such as transport, tourism, fishing and renewable energy projects can take place, and for the protection of marine environments.
But Turkey's Foreign Ministry said some of the areas specified in Greece's plan 'violate our country's maritime jurisdiction areas in the Aegean Sea and the Eastern Mediterranean.'
Although NATO allies, Greece and Turkey have been at loggerheads for years over boundaries in the Aegean and the eastern Mediterranean, with escalating tension bringing them close to war several times in recent decades. One of the main contentions between the two is the delineation of the continental shelf – the proportion of the seabed that belongs to each country, as well as with the boundaries of each one's exclusive economic zone.
Greece has agreements in place delineating its exclusive economic zones with Italy and with Egypt, but not with Turkey.
'We would like to remind the need to avoid unilateral actions in enclosed or semi-enclosed seas such as in the Aegean and the Mediterranean,' Turkey's Foreign Ministry said in a statement, adding that 'international maritime law encourages cooperation between coastal states in the seas in question, including concerning environmental issues, and that in this context, our country is always ready to cooperate with Greece in the Aegean Sea.'
Greece's Foreign Ministry said the Maritime Spatial Planning was separate from the delineation of the exclusive economic zone. In a series of explanatory notes posted on its website, the Foreign Ministry said it still aimed to maintain dialogue with Turkey.
'That we're solving pending issues from the past doesn't mean we don't seek Greek-Turkish dialogue. That we disagree doesn't mean that we don't talk,' the ministry said. 'Greece wants a positive climate in relations with Turkey.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Reuters
8 hours ago
- Reuters
EU to susbsidise high volume of greener aviation fuel to boost airline demand
BRUSSELS, June 11 (Reuters) - The European Union has offered to subsidise airline purchases of more than 200 million litres of sustainable aviation fuels to encourage carriers to swap kerosene for cleaner alternatives, Reuters calculations show. The calculations, based on European Commission data, suggest that the subsidies could trigger a significant boost to airline demand for sustainable aviation fuels (SAF), given the volume equates to about 15% of global SAF production. Global SAF output last year totalled 1.3 billion litres, according to airline industry association IATA. The EU has earmarked revenue from the sale of 20 million carbon emissions permits to help airlines to cover the price gap between conventional kerosene and more expensive SAF on flights within Europe. Reuters calculations showed these subsidies would cover purchases of up to 216 million litres of e-fuels - synthetic fuels made using captured CO2 emissions - or as much as 2.6 billion litres of biofuels. The EU subsidies cover up to 6 euros per litre for e-fuels and 0.5 euros per litre for biofuels. Aviation is among the hardest sectors to decarbonise, with zero-emission aircraft not expected this decade. Sustainable fuels, which have net-zero emissions or lower emissions than fossil fuel kerosene, can help to reduce air travel's carbon footprint in the near term. However, SAF costs three to five times more than traditional jet fuel and makes up only 0.3% of global jet fuel supply. Airlines have warned that EU targets to use more SAF are therefore impossible to meet, though a Boston Consulting Group report this year found that the sector is investing only 1%-3% of revenue or budget allocation in SAF. The EU requires 2% of fuel made available at EU airports to be SAF in 2025, rising to 6% in 2030. Airlines must buy permits from the EU carbon market to cover their emissions from European flights. Until last year, the EU gave airlines most permits free of charge, but it is now phasing out free permits to drive faster emissions reductions.
Daily Record
11 hours ago
- Daily Record
Greece panic as tourists abandon one of its 'most popular' islands
For the first time since the Covid-19 pandemic, Santorini is experiencing a decline in tourists. For the first time since the Covid-19 pandemic, Santorini is witnessing a drop in tourists. Unlike previous years, visitors to one of Greece's most popular islands are not finding themselves amidst dense crowds, but instead Fira's main street is largely deserted. Earlier this year, earthquake activity on Santorini has put off many international visitors from choosing it as their holiday destination. While arrivals have been on the rise in recent weeks, the numbers are significantly lower than the peaks seen in past years. According to Yannis Paraschis, president of the Association of Greek Tourism Enterprises (SETE), "available airline seats are down 26% from the beginning of the year to date. But the indications we have in terms of supply of seats are down in the range of 7%-8% for the summer, so we expect a result with losses of 10%-15%". Antonis Pagoni, the president of the Santorini hoteliers, told Euronews he anticipates a continued decline in tourist traffic and warned that the effects will ripple through the entire Greek economy, reports the Express. "The president of SETE talked about airport arrivals," he added, "but I will unfortunately say that overall arrivals will be down about 20%-25%. Right now we are moving at -25% to -30%. It's a huge reduction in a destination like Santorini that attracts more than 3 million visitors. You know, it's 10% of Greek tourism. We are not sure if Greece can afford to lose that revenue." Currently, hotels are slashing room prices to entice last-minute holidaymakers. The global cost-of-living crisis is also leaving its mark on Santorini. This season, tourists are tightening their belts, resulting in fewer hotel reservations and a downturn for local enterprises dependent on tourism, as visitors cut back on expenditure for dining and keepsakes. Nonetheless, the allure of Santorini remains undiminished, with three cruise liners docking daily, each delivering thousands keen to discover the island's marvels. The impending cruise tax, set to be implemented from July, is not anticipated to deter this year's influx of cruise visitors. In the midst of these developments, Santorini's mayor, Nikos Zorzos, has underscored the urgency for a "saturation law" on the island, contending that there is no need for additional lodgings. "Santorini does not need any more beds. I say this with great certainty, with as much certainty as I know that my name is Nikos," he declared. He is advocating for governmental support to enhance public infrastructure, highlighting that Santorini has made substantial contributions to the national treasury without seeing proportional benefits in return. British tourists travelling to Greece this summer have been warned of the penalties for drug smuggling after the Foreign Office updated its travel guidance for the popular holiday hotspot. Greek travellers are being made aware of improved scanning technology which is now being used at several airports across the country ahead of the holiday season.
Scottish Sun
11 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
EasyJet to launch 11 new routes from UK airport including Greek islands and African beach resorts
Plus, new EU rules mean Brits will now get LESS compensation if their flight is delayed TAKE OFF EasyJet to launch 11 new routes from UK airport including Greek islands and African beach resorts Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) EASYJET is launching 11 new flight routes from a new base airport in the UK next year. The new routes will operate from Newcastle Airport. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 4 EasyJet is launching 11 new routes from Newcastle Airport Credit: AFP 4 Destinations include beach spots such as Corfu and Malta Credit: Getty 4 There are also city spots such as Prague and Nice Credit: Getty Alongside the current eight routes from Newcastle Airport, a number of new beach and city destinations are being launched across Europe and Africa. This includes flights to Greek islands Corfu and Rhodes, as well as Malta, Faro in Portugal, Reus, Nice and Prague. Turkey will be getting new routes to Dalaman and Antalya, while African routes included Tunisia and Sharm el Sheik in Egypt. EasyJet will base three aircraft at Newcastle Airport from March 2026 and could add more in August 2026. While flights will be on sale in the next few months, holidays can be booked on the website already. One of the holidays on offer is a seven night break at the 3* Ukino Terrace in Faro on a Self Catering basis for £402 per person when flying from April 7, 2026. Alternatively, you could jet off to Reus on September 26, 2026, on a half-board basis for a seven-night break at the 3* Best Mediterraneo for £513pp. All holidays include 23kg of luggage as well as transfers. If you prefer city breaks, you could instead head to Nice or Prague. For £341 per person, you could stay two nights at the 3* Monsigny in Nice on a Room Only basis. from Newcastle on April 12, 2026. EasyJet cabin bag rules explained - and which items you can take for free When will the new flights launch from Newcastle Airport? Different route launch dates and how often they will run Nice – March 31 and will run twice weekly Corfu – March 30 and will run twice weekly Rhodes – March 31 and will run twice weekly Malta – March 30 and will run thrice weekly Faro – March 31 and will run thrice weekly Dalaman – March 31 and will run twice weekly Antalya –April 1 and will run twice weekly Tunisia – April 2 and will run twice weekly Reus (Spain) – August 1 and will run twice weekly Prague – August 2 and will run twice weekly Sharm el Sheikh – August 3 and will run twice weekly For Prague, you could head off on September 24, 2026, for a three night bed-and-breakfast stay at the 4* Ariston and Ariston Patio Hotel for £324 per person. Natasha Marson, head of trade distribution at easyJet holidays, said: "We're thrilled to offer thousands of new package holidays to our valued trade customers in the North East." A Hawaii-like island in Europe has also got new easyJet flights from the UK. The new route from London Luton Airport to Funchal on the Portuguese island of Maderia will operate twice each week throughout the summer season, on Mondays and Fridays. The Atlantic Ocean island, off the north west coast of Africa, is known for its beautiful volcanic landscapes. There is also the Laurisilva forest - a UNESCO World Heritage site that offers exceptional hiking opportunities. Plus, new EU rules mean Brits will now get LESS compensation if their flight is delayed.
