European Parliament to debate Turkish maritime and airspace activities

On Thursday morning, members of the European Parliament are scheduled to debate persistent tensions in the eastern Mediterranean and Aegean seas, specifically focusing on actions and rhetoric by the Turkish government. The debate, expected to be opened by EU foreign affairs chief Kaja Kallas, will examine concerns regarding international law, the UN Charter, and principles of good neighborliness. Key issues include Turkish challenges to Greek island sovereignty, unilateral claims in the region, and actions directed against the Republic of Cyprus, as well as the potential impact of these tensions on a comprehensive Cyprus settlement.

The discussion takes place against a backdrop of ongoing friction, as the Greek military reported that seven Turkish aircraft—comprising two F-16 jets, a CN-235 surveillance plane, and four drones—violated Greek airspace on Tuesday. The dispute centers on conflicting interpretations of maritime boundaries; while Athens enforces a 10-nautical-mile airspace claim from its coast, Ankara argues that airspace should be restricted to territorial waters. Furthermore, the situation is complicated by regional energy projects, including planned seabed surveys between Crete and Cyprus. MEPs intend to address these developments to assess their implications for stability and international law enforcement in the region.