Greece Urges EU To Intervene Over Unlawful Turkish Fishing In Strategic Aegean Waters

Greece has asked the European Union to step in over what it calls unlawful fishing and violations of maritime law by Turkish fishermen in the Aegean Sea.

The issue was raised on Friday during a meeting in Athens between Greek Shipping and Island Policy Minister Vasilis Kikilias and European Commissioner for Fisheries and Oceans Costas Kadis.

Kikilias said he raised “a major issue” regarding Greek fishermen and what he described as “provocative behaviour” by Turkish fishermen, including illegal fishing, lack of respect for maritime law, and challenges to Greek sovereign rights.

He said Greece is asking the EU to intervene, adding that Greece’s maritime borders are also European borders and that maritime law must apply to everyone.

The dispute comes from long-running disagreements between Greece and Turkey over maritime boundaries, continental shelf limits, and control of parts of the Aegean Sea.

Greece has set restricted fishing zones in the Aegean, but Turkey has challenged some of these rules, saying they are outside Greek legal authority.

In April, Turkey also disputed maps published by Greece’s Fisheries Control Directorate. Ankara said these maps show fishing bans in areas where Greece has no legal authority and argued that the restrictions break international law.

Turkey’s Foreign Ministry said Greece is violating Turkish maritime jurisdiction through these measures.

Greek officials, however, say Turkish fishing vessels have operated in areas that Greece considers its territorial waters or zones under its control, sometimes with Turkish coast guard presence.

Kikilias also compared the issue with migration cooperation, saying Turkey has worked with Greece on reducing migration flows by 45% in 2025, but cooperation is weaker on fishing disputes.

He said the fishing issue is a serious problem that needs EU regulation and support because it affects an important sector for Greece.

After the meeting, EU Commissioner Kadis said the EU is ready to support Greece on fisheries control, aiming for a fair and sustainable fisheries policy.

Separately, reports from Bloomberg say Turkey may vote by June on a proposed “Blue Homeland Law.” This law would formally define Turkey’s maritime jurisdiction areas and could strengthen Ankara’s claims in the Aegean and Eastern Mediterranean.

The draft law also reportedly reviews the status of islands, islets, and rock formations that Turkey refers to as “grey zones.”

Greek Foreign Minister Giorgos Gerapetritis said that any unilateral maritime claims outside international law are “bound to fail.”

The issue remains unresolved, with EU involvement now being requested by Greece and both sides continuing to disagree over maritime boundaries, fishing rights, and jurisdiction in the Aegean Sea.

References: Reuters, GreekReporter