Navigating the Waters: The Impact of Turkish Naval Agression from 2018 to 2023 on Economic Zone Delimitation

Abstract

This paper explores the effects of the Mavi Vatan doctrine, a contentious maritime policy developed by elements within the Turkish military, and its implications for the Eastern Mediterranean. The paper opens with the second chapter, which provides a historical background, tracing the evolution of Turkish foreign policy from the aftermath of World War I through the rise of President Erdoğan and the AKP. It examines the concept of Neo-Ottoman ambitions and its connection to Mavi Vatan, a doctrine asserting expansive Turkish maritime claims that challenge those of Greece and other regional actors. The second chapter also highlights the role of hydrocarbon resources in driving these competing claims. Shifting focus to the legal landscape, the third chapter analyzes the framework established by the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), particularly the concepts of Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZs) and continental shelf claims. It examines the dispute resolution mechanisms outlined in UNCLOS and delves into the legality of the controversial maritime agreement between Türkiye and Libya. The third chapter contrasts the legal positions of Greece and Türkiye regarding their overlapping territorial claims. Building on the legal framework, the fourth chapter explores specific cases impacting maritime delimitation in the Eastern Mediterranean. It analyzes significant delimitation agreements concluded since 2018, including those between Greece and Egypt, and Greece and Italy. This chapter also examines the role of the East Mediterranean Gas Forum and the ongoing Israel-Lebanon maritime dispute. By examining the historical context, legal framework, and specific cases, this paper sheds light on the complex and contested maritime landscape of the Eastern Mediterranean shaped by the Mavi Vatan doctrine.