This action on the part of the Foreign Ministry safeguards Greece’s stance in defence of our country’s sovereign rights, in accordance with customary and conventional Law of the Sea, and specifically the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (1982).

It is to be noted that, directly upon learning of Turkey’s granting of permits, the Greek government proceeded to the appropriate demarches to Turkey.

With yesterday’s action, Greece notifies the United Nations Organization and its competent organs, and the note verbale will be published in the Law of the Sea Bulletin.

Greece wants to have good neighbourly relations with Turkey, as well as with all the countries in its region, based on mutual respect and international legality, particularly regarding matters that concern our sovereign rights and the exploitation of our natural wealth.