Greece Establishes Two Marine Parks in Ionian Sea and Aegean Sea

Greece has established two national marine parks in the Ionian Sea and Southern Cyclades to protect ocean wildlife. The parks aim to preserve ecosystems and meet the country's target of protecting 30% of its territorial waters by 2030. The move could potentially strain ties with neighboring Turkey, which has historically been at odds with Greece over sea borders and economic rights in the eastern Mediterranean.

Greece has taken a significant step towards environmental conservation and strategic positioning in the Mediterranean by establishing two national marine parks in the Ionian Sea and Southern Cyclades. The initiative aims to protect ocean wildlife and contribute to Greece's goal of safeguarding 30% of its territorial waters by 2030. This move comes amidst ongoing geopolitical tensions with neighboring Turkey, which has historically been at odds with Greece over sea borders and economic rights in the eastern Mediterranean.

The establishment of these marine parks underscores Greece's commitment to environmental sustainability and sovereignty. By the end of July 2025, the Greek government is expected to announce the creation of these zones, which are designed to preserve marine ecosystems while also carrying clear geopolitical significance. The parks are expected to enhance Greece's maritime spatial planning and reinforce its EEZ agreements with other nations, such as Egypt and Italy [1].

The decision to establish these marine parks is part of a broader strategy by Greece to assert its sovereign rights in the region. The Greek government has been actively responding to Libya's provocative actions, including its recent submission of maps to the United Nations that violate international law. Greece's immediate objective is to ensure the participation of Chevron in its energy exploration tender, scheduled for September 12, 2025. Chevron, which already operates in Cyprus's EEZ, has shown interest in participating, indicating that it considers the economic potential of the region despite geopolitical risks [1].

The Greek government has been working to dispel criticism that it is being too passive in its response to regional provocations. Sources from the Prime Minister's office emphasize that Greece has been exercising its sovereign rights through action, not rhetoric. The government's approach is grounded in international law and focused on protecting its national interest [1].

The establishment of these marine parks is expected to have both environmental and geopolitical implications. While the primary goal is to protect ocean wildlife, the zones also serve as strategic assets that could potentially strain relations with Turkey. The preemptive negative reactions to the announcement of these marine parks at the recent UN Ocean Conference in Nice, France, highlight the geopolitical sensitivity of the move [1].

In summary, Greece's establishment of marine parks in the Ionian Sea and Southern Cyclades is a multifaceted strategy that combines environmental conservation with geopolitical assertiveness. The move is part of a broader effort to protect Greece's sovereign rights and strengthen its maritime presence in the Mediterranean, while also contributing to the country's environmental sustainability goals.

References:
[1] https://en.protothema.gr/2025/07/18/chevron-at-the-center-of-greeces-pushback-against-libyas-map-pffensive/