Greek Shipping Minister Calls on EU to Act on Turkish Illegal Fishing in the Aegean
Greek Minister of Shipping and Island Policy Vasilis Kikilias met with EU Commissioner for Oceans and Fisheries Costas Kadis and pressed the European Union to intervene against illegal fishing by Turkish vessels in the Aegean Sea. He warned that Turkish boats are violating the law of the sea, disregarding maritime borders and challenging Greece’s sovereign rights, stating, “we have real problems … we ask the European Union to intervene” and “the sea borders are also EU borders and the law of the sea applies to everyone.”
Kikilias also highlighted cooperation with Turkey on curbing illegal migration, noting a 45 % reduction in migrant flows from Turkey by 2025. Kadis outlined the Commission’s Ocean Treaty initiatives and the harmonisation of fisheries inspections in Greece, reaffirming the EU’s willingness to support Greek authorities.
The Greek government now seeks concrete EU measures to protect its vital fishing sector and enforce maritime law.