The research of the Turkish vessel Piri Reis will be continued until March 29, 2012, according to the latest official statement of the Spokesman of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkey. It was stressed that “the Aegean continental shelf has not yet been delimited between Turkey and Greece, and accordingly, the moratorium pertaining to the freezing of all oil and gas exploration activities beyond the territorial waters in the Aegean Sea, as agreed by both countries under 1976 Bern Agreement, is still valid.”
The UNESCO Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission has been informed about the research of Piri Reis in due course, claimed the representative, who also remarked that “both countries do not require any prior permission or consent and reciprocal notification to each other through official channels for the conduct of such surveys beyond the territorial waters in the Aegean Sea.”
We disagree with the argument that the whole Aegean is the Greek continental shelf. This claim is not compatible with international law. We maintain the view that an equitable and lasting solution should be reached for all outstanding Aegean issues including the delimitation of the continental shelf, and that the current dialogue channels should remain open accordingly,” Unal stressed.
“On the other hand, Dokuzeylul University is very much interested in carrying out this research in cooperation with Greek universities and in developing joint scientific projects. We support this positive and constructive approach», he added.
(Source: Official Statement of the Turkish Ministry of foreigh Affairs)
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