Greece urges EU to intervene over Turkish illegal fishing in the Aegean

Greece has asked the European Union to step in against what it describes as illegal fishing and violations of maritime law by Turkish vessels in the Aegean Sea. Greek Transport Minister Vasilis Kikilias told EU Fisheries Commissioner Costas Kadis that Greece’s maritime borders are also EU borders and that the right of the sea must be upheld for all.

The issue is part of a long‑standing dispute between the NATO allies over maritime zones and the Cyprus question. Greece has imposed several restricted fishing zones in the Aegean, which Turkey contests, arguing the waters are not under Athens’ control. According to a Bloomberg report, Turkey plans a June vote on a so‑called “Blue Homeland” law that would formalise Ankara’s claims to parts of the Aegean and the eastern Mediterranean. Greek Foreign Minister Giorgos Gerapetritis warned that any unilateral attempt to enforce such claims outside international law would be “doomed to failure.”