Gov’t asks EU to step in over ‘unlawful fishing’ by Turkey in east Med

[File photo]

The authorities has asked the European Union to step successful and stop what it said was unlawful sportfishing and violation of maritime instrumentality by Turkish fishermen successful the ‌eastern Mediterranean Sea.

Shipping Minister Vasilis Kikilias brought up the contented successful a gathering with ⁠the European Commissioner for Fisheries and Oceans, Costas Kadis, connected Friday successful Athens.

“I’ve raised with the Commissioner a large contented for Greece regarding our fishermen and our fisheries and the provocative behaviour of our Turkish neighbors with regards to the unlawful fishing, the non-respect of the instrumentality of the sea, and the disputing of our sovereign rights,” Kikilias said.

“We inquire the European Union to intervene,” Kikilias said, adding that ‌Greek ⁠sea borders were besides Europe’s borders.

Turkish officials did not instantly respond to a petition for comment.

Greece has designated restricted sportfishing areas successful the Aegean Sea, some of which person been challenged by Turkey arsenic being retired of ⁠the country’s jurisdiction. Athens past year protested against a Turkish maritime spatial program that designated zones for sportfishing and different activities successful the Aegean Sea.

The EU Commission ⁠said past year that coastal states person the superior work of enforcement arsenic it supports Greece with patrols by the European Fisheries ⁠Control Agency, outer imagery and inspection.

Despite their disputes, the countries person regularly held talks to research whether they tin start discussions aimed astatine demarcating maritime zones. [Reuters]