The new turmoil surrounding the activity of Turkish fishing boats in the Thracian Sea is causing intense political controversy. Fishermen in the area complain that they are confronted daily with armed Turkish fishermen who move undisturbed within Greek territorial waters, causing damage to the marine environment and their income.
In this climate, the recent statements of the Minister of Shipping and Insular Policy, Vassilis Kikilias, about the alleged permanent change of the fishing regime already from 2017, caused a storm of reactions. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs itself was quick to refute him, clarifying that there has never been a formal or informal agreement between Greece and Turkey on Turkish fishing vessels.
This development opened a new cycle of strong criticism of the government, with SYRIZA-P.S. speaking of a «dangerous blunder» by the minister, which exposes the country and undermines the defence of our sovereign rights. The ministers of Shipping & Island Policy and National Defence, Alexandros Meikopoulos and Simeon Kedikoglou, argue that Kikilias« stance acts as a »green light« for Turkish provocativeness, at a time when Ankara is even using fishermen as tools to promote its »Blue Homeland" narrative.
The following is the press release of SYRIZA-P.S.:
Joint statement by the Ministers of Shipping & Insular Policy and National Defence of SY.RIZ.A.- P.S. Al.Meikopoulos and Sim. Kedikoglou on the Turkish fishing boats in the Thracian Sea and the statements of Kikilias.
The Greek fishermen of the Thracian Sea are fighting for their survival against the armed and defiant Turkish fishermen who are going in and out of Greek territorial waters undisturbed and ravaging the marine environment.
And while reality is crying out, the Minister of Maritime Affairs & Insular Policy, instead of the government devising a strategy to protect Greek fishermen and defend our sovereign rights, resorted to myths about a permanent change in the fishing regime in the region from 2017.
It was categorically contradicted by the Foreign Ministry itself, which states that «there is no formal or informal agreement between Greece and Turkey on Turkish fishing boats», exposing itself and the country.
The statement of the Minister of Shipping, even if it was made out of ignorance, creates risks for the interests of the country.
Since the agreement never existed, as the Foreign Ministry has clearly confirmed, Mr Kikilias must explain:
- How exactly did we give in? Who made the decision to tolerate Turkish provocation?;
- Does he realize that by invoking a non-existent agreement that leaves room for Turkish provocativeness, he is giving the green light to Turkish fishermen to move and fish uncontrollably in Greek seas?;
- How safe can the country feel when a Minister opens the way wide to Turkish challenges at a time when Turkish fishing boats are systematically used by Ankara to «greywash» the Aegean and serve Turkey's revisionist narrative of the «Blue Homeland»?;
In any serious country, such a blunder would have already led to the dismissal of a minister.
If Mr Mitsotakis continues to keep him in his position, then the responsibility will fall on him. The dismissal of Kikilias is self-evident, unless he shares his statements..
The Press Office
