Turkey's Eastern Mediterranean policies in the framework of international law of the sea and comparison with similar disagreement

Throughout history, the Eastern Mediterranean has been crucial in terms of geography, politics, and economy. In addition to serving as a transit route, the hydrocarbon reserves discovered in recent years have also reshaped global and regional dynamics. The evolving dynamics, along with longstanding issues in the Eastern Mediterranean, have led to new disputes that are proving difficult to resolve. International maritime law, one of the oldest and most established bodies of international law, is used to resolve disputes. Surrounded by seas on three sides and having the longest coastline in the Eastern Mediterranean, Turkey has established policies in line with international maritime law for maritime delimitation. This study focuses on the potential contributions to Turkey's achievements in its Eastern Mediterranean policy. Within this framework, the points asserted by Turkey as justified in the Eastern Mediterranean are aimed to be expressed within the scope of international maritime law by examining similar disputes worldwide and court decisions in favor of Turkey. Examining the situation of the concave coastline, which has not been previously discussed or emphasized but is a significant asset for Turkey, and the status of islands located on the opposite side, the study attempts to articulate Turkey's claims with legal justifications in light of court decisions. Turkey's arguments in the Eastern Mediterranean are discussed based on the understanding that international law constitutes an integral part of foreign policy.