Jens Asbjørn Bøgen
The dispute has marred the relationship for decades, and it does not seem to get any better.
The dispute has marred the relationship for decades, and it does not seem to get any better.
What is happening?
Greece wants to buy at least four new submarines to counter the Turkey’s sub-fleet amid rising tensions between the two NATO-allies.
Complex relationship
The two Mediterannean countries established diplomatic relations as early as 1830 following the formation of Greece.
However, rivalry has characterized the relationship for decades.
Aegean Sea Disputes
One of the main rivalries between the countries is the Aegean Sea dispute.
It’s a complex set of interrelated conflicts, but one of the main points of disagreement is territorial waters.
6 or 12 nautical miles
Currently, both Greece and Turkey maintain a 6-nautical-mile territorial sea in the Aegean, according to the Republic of Türkiye Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
A major point of contention is whether Greece can unilaterally extend its territorial waters to the internationally recognized 12 nautical miles, which Turkey views as a potential casus belli.
Turkey challenging Greece’s claims
In June 2025, Turkey submitted a new maritime map to UNESCO, challenging Greece’s claims and reigniting disputes over territorial waters and airspace. Greece protested, asserting that Turkey’s plan lacks a legal basis under international law.
Eastern Mediterranean Energy Tensions
Greece faces a surge in migrant arrivals from Libya, coinciding with intensified energy deals between Turkey and Libya near the Greek Island of Crete.
Athens perceives this as geopolitical coercion, fearing it undermines its sovereignty in the region.
Cyprus: A Persistent Flashpoint
Turkey’s support for the Turkish Cypriot declaration of independence in the island’s northern third remains a significant point of contention.
Recent disagreements over energy exploration rights and maritime boundaries around Cyprus have further complicated the situation.
Military Posturing and Defense Concerns
In April 2025, reports emerged of Turkey’s potential incursion plans into Greek territories, specifically targeting Western Thrace and the Aegean islands.
However, increased military cooperation between Greece and its allies, including the US and France, has altered the strategic landscape.
Human Rights and Minority Issues
Turkey has accused Greece of violating the rights of the Turkish minority in Western Thrace and the Dodecanese.
Greece refutes these claims, citing the Treaty of Lausanne and asserting equal rights for its Muslim minority.
Migration Policies and Border Control
Greece’s implementation of “pushback” policies to deter migrant arrivals, particularly on the island of Lesbos, has drawn criticism from humanitarian groups.
While locals support the measures for restoring safety and reviving tourism, Turkey views them as violations of migrants’ rights.
Diplomatic Engagements Amidst Tensions
Despite ongoing disputes, diplomatic dialogues continue
In May 2024, Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis visited Ankara, initiating a friendship initiative focusing on trade, energy, and cultural ties.
EU Defense Fund Access Conditionalities
Greece has linked Turkey’s access to EU defense funds to the revocation of a longstanding threat of war.
In May 2025, Prime Minister Mitsotakis stated that Turkey must lift its 1995 “casus belli” declaration over potential Greek expansion of territorial waters in the Aegean Sea to gain access to EU defense financing tools.
Cultural and Historical Sensitivities
Turkey’s conversion of the Chora Church, a former Byzantine-era church in Istanbul, into a mosque has drawn criticism from Greece and the Greek Orthodox Church.
