Turkey says a French vessel plans unauthorized research on its shelf

Statement by the Turkish Foreign Ministry

Turkey said on Friday that a vessel flying the French flag plans to conduct unauthorized marine scientific research on its continental shelf in the Eastern Mediterranean, stressing that the required consent procedure has not yet been completed. The report comes from Anadolu citing a written statement by the Turkish Foreign Ministry.

The essence of Ankara's claims

According to the ministry, the vessel intends to carry out 'unlawful' research related to cable laying on a section of the Turkish shelf whose outer limits were notified to the UN on March 18, 2020. The Foreign Ministry noted that for part of the planned work falling within this shelf, the process of obtaining Turkey's consent — required, in the ministry's wording, by established principles of international law of the sea — has not been completed.

Turkey's actions and Ankara's position

Turkey also canceled navigational warnings, which it considers unauthorized, issued by Greece and the Greek Cypriot administration in connection with the planned work. The Foreign Ministry stated that Turkey is 'fully determined to protect its sovereign rights stemming from international law' and will continue its course toward cooperation, dialogue and coordination in the region.

What is known and what remains unclear

The report is based on the statement of one party — the Turkish Foreign Ministry. The reaction of France, Greece or the Cypriot administration, as well as details of the cable work itself (operator, route, timeline), are not provided in the statement. It is also unknown whether the work has actually begun or whether only plans are involved.