Turkey Seeks to Assert Erdogan’s Power Over Contested Waters

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s ruling AK Party is drafting legislation to grant the president authority to declare an exclusive economic zone (EEZ) extending up to 200 nautical miles from Turkey’s coast. This move aims to secure Turkish rights over fishing, mining, and drilling activities, particularly in the gas-rich waters of the Aegean and eastern Mediterranean, where claims overlap with European Union members Greece and Cyprus. The initiative serves as a strategic response to recent claims by Athens and Nicosia, signaling Ankara’s determination to remain a central player in regional energy disputes. Turkey, which has not ratified the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, argues that maritime boundaries should be based on continental shelves rather than islands, challenging Greece’s position. Meanwhile, the US has called for continued dialogue to prevent escalation, while the EU has previously threatened sanctions over Turkey’s drilling activities. The dispute is rooted in long-standing tensions following the 1974 division of Cyprus, with Turkey recognizing only the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.