The European Union is opening an Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZ) agenda with common European issues and reinforces the Greek side in negotiating with Turkey by fully adopting Greek positions on fisheries in the Mediterranean.
Greek Prime Minister Antonis Samaras expressed that rights connected to European EEZ have been vindicated as well the effort of the Greek Commissioner Maria Damanaki, who had worked on this issue.
The question of the European decision is about the competition for reduced levels of stocks in marine resources which are likely to provoke friction with other countries.
The EU and its Member States are urged to collaborate to ensure vigilance, control, stability and security of Europe’s coastal and territorial waters, exclusive economic zones (EEZs), continental shelf, shipping infrastructure and marine resources such as gas or oil.
The point of this European intervention reminds that the EU should maintain a high political profile to the above and should try to prevent an international discord.
This decision consists of historical significance as Greece is no longer can alone solve key problems on Greek- Turkish issues, such as the continental shelf. In this way, EU considers that this issue is bilateral in-between the EU and Turkey and Greece.
Furthermore, the resolution urges the EU to use its own diplomacy to promote dialogue between Member States and third countries so as to ensure that they appreciate the principles of the Common Fisheries Policy of the EU and to monitor compliance with rules of that policy.
Also, this settlement is said to be a clear message to the Turkish side and stresses that candidate countries to the EU should respect the principles of the EU fisheries policy and the relevant EU and international law applicable to fishing activities.
It also points out that three of the 21 Mediterranean states have neither signed nor ratified the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS); whereas this compensation refers to problem of Turkey and asks to Commission to urge those countries, especially for those that are candidates for accession to the EU, to accede to implement of UNCLOS as an integral part of the EU regulatory framework for maritime affairs.
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