Departing Foreign Minister Nikos Kotzias said that Greece is ready to extend its territorial waters. 6 nautical miles has now expanded to 12 in the Ionian Sea, extending Greece’s sovereignty westward.
Kotzias said that the move constitutes the “first extension of the country’s sovereignty since the Dodecanese became part of Greece in 1947.”
“The country’s sovereignty extends from Othonoi, down to Antikythira,” said Kotzias.Othonoi is a small Greek island in the Ionian Sea, located northwest of Corfu whereas Antikythira is located southeast of Peloponnese.
Τέλος, η Ελλάδα επεκτείνει την κυριαρχία της μέσω επέκτασης της αιγιαλίτιδας ζώνης στα 12 ν.μ. από τους Οθωνούς ως τα Αντικύθηρα – τα σχετικά προεδρικά διατάγματα είναι έτοιμα –@NikosKotzias κατά την τελετή παράδοσης – παραλαβής του Υπουργείου Εξωτερικών pic.twitter.com/f3zvtymDil
— Υπουργείο Εξωτερικών (@GreeceMFA) October 20, 2018
Kotzias also revealed that the ministry is preparing to extend Greece’s sovereignty to 12 nautical miles around Crete and at later stages from Antikythira to the Saronic Gulf and from the Saronic Gulf to the Pagasitikos Gulf in central Greece.
The move means that all shipping, fishing and future drilling activities within the 12 mile zone must be approved by Greek authorities.
Kotzias discussed these matters at a hand over ceremony where he handed over his ministerial duties to Greek Prime Alexis Tsipras. The PM was sworn in as foreign minister.
Kotzias’ resignation comes over acrimony with the head of the leftist-led government’s coalition partner and Defense Minister, Panos Kammenos.
Both Kotzias and Tspiras expressed excitement over the name deal with F.Y.R.O.M.
“Today is a symbolic and historic day after the decision at Skopje’s Parliament which opens the way for the implementation of the accord,” Tsipras said during the ceremony.
“I am experiencing the paradox of having quit and being happy,” Kotzias said, referring to the passing of the name deal with the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia by the Parliament in Skopje on Friday night.
Extract relating to the extension to 12 nautical miles from 12’40” in the video
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