Exclusive economic zone disputes in the Aegean and Eastern Mediterranean: Legal arguments of Turkiye and counterpart states, and their implications for the fundamental issues of the exclusive economic zone

Located in a strategically and geopolitically turbulent region, Turkey must maintain its position as a strong state due to security concerns. The discovery of hydrocarbon and natural gas reserves in recent years has significantly increased the strategic importance of the Eastern Mediterranean. Consequently, it has become essential to define maritime areas, referred to as the "Blue Homeland." While a country's continental shelf is determined automatically, Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZ) require formal declaration. Turkey's lack of an EEZ declaration in the Aegean Sea and the Eastern Mediterranean hinders its ability to fully benefit from the resources in these regions. In contrast, the Greek Cypriot Administration of Southern Cyprus (GCASC) and Greece have declared EEZs in the Aegean and Eastern Mediterranean, forming bilateral agreements with other states to draw them into the issue and weaken the positions of Turkey and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC). The GCASC, in particular, has signed agreements with other nations on behalf of the entire island of Cyprus and attempted to conduct activities in overlapping areas of interest with Turkey. Meanwhile, Greece's efforts to extend maritime zones from islands close to the Anatolian coast have become a primary source of maritime jurisdiction disputes in the region. The involvement of various regional and global actors with interests in the Eastern Mediterranean has further complicated the disputes, leading to a protracted deadlock in resolving maritime jurisdiction conflicts. This study examines the legal arguments of the parties involved and provides suggestions to facilitate resolution