Ankara irked by European maritime map

Turkey has voiced sharp criticism of a European Commission map delineating potential maximum maritime zones for Greece, calling it an affront to its territorial claims in the Eastern Mediterranean.

Although the map is part of a broader EU maritime spatial planning initiative unrelated to Greek-Turkish negotiations, Ankara perceives it as provocative. The map revives elements of the older "Seville Map," granting full influence to Greek islands, including the disputed Kastellorizo - a red line for Turkey, which seeks unobstructed access to the Mediterranean. 

Turkey's military response has followed suit, with the Turkish Armed Forces conducting exercises between Rhodes and Cyprus. In the past 24 hours, multiple violations of Greece's flight information region (FIR) occurred, further escalating tensions. Turkish aircraft did not file flight plans, leading to Greek...