Greece requests European Union intervention regarding Turkish fishing in the Aegean

On Friday, Greek Shipping Minister Vasilis Kikilias met with European Commissioner for Fisheries and Oceans Costas Kadis in Athens to address concerns over Turkish fishing activities in the Aegean Sea. Greece claims that Turkish fishermen are violating maritime law and infringing on its sovereign rights. The Greek government has requested that the European Union intervene to stop these practices. The dispute is part of a decades-long disagreement between the NATO allies over continental shelf boundaries and maritime jurisdiction. Turkey has previously challenged Greek-designated restricted fishing areas, arguing they fall outside of Greek jurisdiction. Last year, Athens also formally protested a Turkish maritime spatial plan covering similar areas. The European Commission has maintained that coastal states hold primary responsibility for enforcement, though it continues to provide support through the European Fisheries Control Agency, satellite imagery, and inspections. Turkish officials did not provide an immediate response to these claims.