Armenians head to the polls tomorrow in an election that could shape the country's future. In my latest piece for @EuropeInterest, I examine the key stakes and broader implications.
https://t.co/y8lz2D5iQp
@bekiryildiz16 Turkey also has the right to expand its territorial waters to 12 n.m., except where adjacent foreign territory exists (such as the Greek islands); in such cases, the median line principle applies. Turkey has already expanded to 12 n.m. in the Black Sea.
Liar. Under int. law, the expansion of terr. waters/airspace is a sovereign right of the state concerned. No int. court rules on whether a state may exercise that right. Courts can adjudicate issues related to the continental shelf/EEZ. 🇬🇷 constantly expresses openness to that.
One thing you should know about Turkey - Greece dispute in the Aegean is that there is a peaceful way: International courts.
Turkey is willing to take the issues of territorial waters, maritime zones and airspace to the courts and accept the judgments.
Greece doesn’t
@EdwardN_78 1. A state does not need to be a signatory to accept the jurisdiction of the Hague. The parties can sign an arbitrary agreement to refer a dispute to the Court.
2. Good faith is essential. It cannot exist alongside a casus belli & maximalist/illegal claims such as “Mavi Vatan.”
@EdwardN_78 It is indeed a paradox. But how can Greece align its territorial waters with its airspace while Turkey maintains a casus belli over the expansion of Greek territorial waters?
@SarpedonB Turkey threatens war (casus belli since 1995) if Greece exercises its right to expand its territorial waters in the Aegean, regardless of the distance from the Turkish coast. As for adjacent waters between the two states, nobody rejects the median line principle.
@MASAOMORITR 1. Misleading. The median line is one issue & 🇬🇷 accepts it. Terr. waters around e.g. Crete (100s of nm from the 🇹🇷) are another
2. Incorrect. See Article 3 of UNCLOS
3. Airspace & FIR aren't the same. 🇬🇷 would align its airspace with its terr. waters if not for 🇹🇷 casus belli.
Despite Aliyev’s mocking, it is undeniable that Azerbaijan has not attacked Armenia since the deployment of the EU civilian mission. And despite his bravado, he would never risk harming EU personnel.
The Middle East will be one of the epicentres of the coming “corridor wars.” Today, there are two major competing projects: IMEC and the Turkey-led Iraq Development Road. Both are designed to fundamentally reshape trade routes while carrying major geopolitical implications.
@agailtale Armenia and Azerbaijan have finalized the draft peace agreement and completed border delimitation. And let's be honest: this was not a mutual compromise. Adding new conditions at this stage only suggests a lack of genuine interest in peace.
For decades, 🇹🇷 kept its border with 🇦🇲 closed over Nagorno Karabakh. Today, 🇦🇿 controls NK. Yet 🇹🇷 keeps the border shut, despite progress in talks with 🇦🇲. Ankara has now linked reopening to an 🇦🇲–🇦🇿 peace treaty. All to keep 🇦🇿 satisfied, despite clear gains from open borders.
Turkish nationalists, who are very vocal on social media, go into a frenzy when Greece does what every sovereign nation is expected to do. They even criticize their own allies (Qatar, Libya) for engaging with Athens. I hope & believe that many in Turkey do not share this mindset.
Greece in the last two weeks:
1. Relations with 🇫🇷 & 🇩🇪 upgraded to an Enhanced Strategic Partnership
3. The Emir of 🇶🇦visited Athens
4. 🇬🇷PM visited 🇦🇪 & 🇯🇴 for a 🇬🇷🇯🇴🇨🇾 summit
5. Maritime talks with 🇱🇾 resumed
6. Signed the 2026 🇬🇷🇦🇲🇨🇾 Joint Action Plan for military cooperation
Who’s the biggest loser of the war? Well, apart from Lebanon, I’d say Iraq. Its oil exports (40%-53% of GDP) have collapsed (-96%), while it has once again become a proxy battlefield; from Iran-backed & Kurdish groups to Iranian & US strikes. This battered nation deserves better.
Greece in the last two weeks:
1. Relations with 🇫🇷 & 🇩🇪 upgraded to an Enhanced Strategic Partnership
3. The Emir of 🇶🇦visited Athens
4. 🇬🇷PM visited 🇦🇪 & 🇯🇴 for a 🇬🇷🇯🇴🇨🇾 summit
5. Maritime talks with 🇱🇾 resumed
6. Signed the 2026 🇬🇷🇦🇲🇨🇾 Joint Action Plan for military cooperation