After facing criticism and a rebuke from the European Court of Justice for delays, Greece has submitted its maritime spatial plan to the European Union on April 16, 2025. The submission fulfills a requirement for all coastal EU member states.
The maritime spatial plan outlines designated areas for activities like fishing, sea transport, tourism, aquaculture, and renewable energy, aiming to balance economic development with marine ecosystem protection. The European Court of Justice had ruled that Greece violated EU regulations by failing to draft the plan by March 2021.
Turkey's Foreign Ministry stated that some areas in the Greek plan infringe on Turkey's maritime jurisdiction in the Aegean Sea and Eastern Mediterranean. Despite being NATO allies, Greece and Turkey have long-standing disputes over maritime boundaries. Greece has exclusive economic zone agreements with Italy and Egypt but not with Turkey.