Greece’s Marine Park Initiative Sparks Controversy with Turkey and Environmental Groups

Greece’s ambitious plan to establish two large marine parks in the Ionian and Aegean Seas, aiming to protect biodiversity and marine ecosystems, has stirred both geopolitical tensions and environmental concerns. While Greece intends to expand its marine protected areas to over 30% of its waters, Turkey has accused Athens of exploiting environmental issues for political gains in the Aegean region. Despite recent diplomatic improvements, Ankara perceives Greece’s initiative as another attempt to assert dominance in the contentious Aegean disputes.

Meanwhile, environmental organizations criticize Greece for insufficient measures, citing concerns over energy exploration in sensitive marine environments like the Hellenic Trench. As Greece hosts the international oceans conference to address climate and ocean crises, environmental groups urge for more substantial commitments to safeguard marine ecosystems, emphasizing that the sea is not a commodity to be traded.