The act of forming the National Spatial Strategy for the Marine Area, which specifies and maps the country’s Marine Spatial Planning (MSP), was issued today at the initiative of the Ministry of Environment and Energy, in cooperation with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the competent ministries.
This is a significant initiative, as for the first time Greece sets the rules for the organization of its marine space. Marine Spatial Planning constitutes a holistic spatial framework and is a necessary condition for the successful development of a blue and circular economy, clearly recording the human activities that can take place in all the marine zones of our country, while respecting the pressing need for environmental protection.
The approach followed in the development of the National Spatial Strategy for the Marine Area synthesized often conflicting social, economic, energy-related, and environmental parameters, in order to serve a series of interconnected goals, such as climate resilience of the marine environment, sustainable tourism development, the protection of our cultural heritage—especially underwater antiquities, the improvement and safeguarding of maritime transport, the exploitation of the country’s energy resources, aquaculture, and the strengthening of cross-border projects of common interest. Marine Spatial Planning takes into account the interactions between land and sea activities and emphasizes consultation and the co-formation of priorities by region, through the creation of Marine Spatial Frameworks.
With Marine Spatial Planning and the National Spatial Strategy for the Marine Area, the Greek State, for the first time, defines in detail the uses of its marine zones, fulfilling the obligation arising from Directive 2014/89/EU and exercising the rights derived from International Law.
The Ministers
Foreign Affairs
Giorgos Gerapetritis
Environment and Energy
Stavros Papastavrou
Marine Spatial Planning
Announcement_The First Marine Spatial Planning in the Country
Questions & Answers
- Why is the drafting, specification, and mapping of the Marine Spatial Planning (MSP) an important move?
This is the first time that the potential outer limits of the Greek continental shelf (i.e., full influence of the mainland and islands in marine zones) are recorded in an official EU regulatory text.
- So what does the map depict?
The maritime areas depicted on the map include the Greek-Italian EEZ delimitation agreements of 1977 and 2020, and the Greek-Egyptian agreement of 2020, and they align with the boundaries arising from Law 4001/2011.
Regarding non-delimited areas, the map shows the median line determining the outer boundary of the Greek continental shelf, until agreements are made with neighboring states whose coasts are adjacent or opposite to the Greek coasts.
- So does the map depict the EEZ of Greece across the entire Greek territory (Ionian, Aegean, and Eastern Mediterranean)?
The delimitation of maritime zones is a different process from Marine Spatial Planning, which concerns how the competent authorities of member states analyze and organize human activities in the aforementioned maritime areas to achieve ecological, economic, and social goals.
Therefore, the map depicting Greek Marine Spatial Planning does not constitute EEZ delimitation.
- Does it reflect the extension of Greece’s territorial waters to 12 nautical miles (in the Aegean and Eastern Mediterranean)?
The extension of territorial waters up to 12 nautical miles is an inalienable right of our country derived from the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). It is a right whose exercise Greece reserves, when and as deemed in the national interest, according to the rules of International Law.
- How is the development of Marine Spatial Planning related to sovereignty and the exercise of sovereign rights?
Marine Spatial Planning and its mapping reflect activities in all of the country’s maritime zones – it does not constitute the exercise of sovereign rights.
Sovereignty is not subject to planning. It preexists and is not affected by it.
- Why is the government submitting Marine Spatial Planning now?
The government is settling long-standing issues. It defends national interests in a substantial way, not through communication pyrotechnics.
- Might the Marine Spatial Planning drafting provoke a reaction from Turkey? Are you abandoning Greek-Turkish dialogue?
Solving past issues does not mean that Greek-Turkish dialogue is not pursued. Disagreeing doesn’t mean we don’t talk. Talking doesn’t mean we compromise our positions, as proven in practice. Greece desires a positive climate in relations with Turkey and has consistently supported Greek-Turkish understanding based on International Law and good neighborliness.
Moreover, Marine Spatial Planning concerns a substantive obligation of our country to the EU, stemming from specific European directives, and fits within the framework of several European Strategies, such as the Green Deal and the EU Maritime Security Strategy (EUMSS).
The Ministry of Environment and Energy also explains the following: QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT MARINE SPATIAL PLANNING
What is Marine Spatial Planning?
Marine Spatial Planning (MSP) records human activities in all maritime zones of our country, with a focus on environmental protection in those areas.
At the same time, it defines the compatibility and parallel development of these activities, always aiming for the sustainable development of marine areas and the utilization of marine resources. The geographic scope of Marine Spatial Planning was defined according to EU law and International Law of the Sea, particularly the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
This process is stipulated in Directive 2014/89/EU, fulfilling Greece’s European obligation. Correct transposition of the directive into national law is essential for developing a sustainable blue economy, managing marine resources, and preserving healthy marine ecosystems and biodiversity, within the European Green Deal.
It’s worth noting that this directive does not affect the sovereign rights and jurisdiction of member states over their maritime waters, which derive from international law, particularly UNCLOS.
What is its purpose?
To organize marine space, enabling the smooth interaction of land and sea activities, aiming at environmental protection and sustainable development. During the drafting of Marine Spatial Planning, social, economic, energy-related, and environmental parameters are taken into account for activities such as:
– Protection of the marine environment from the impacts of climate change, including the establishment of marine parks
– Preservation of cultural heritage, especially underwater antiquities
– Improvement and protection of maritime transport
– Sustainable tourism development
– Exploitation of energy resources, particularly potential natural gas fields and offshore wind farms
– Aquaculture
– Strengthening cross-border infrastructure of common interest with other EU member states and neighboring regions
Marine Spatial Planning allows for a coordinated, rather than fragmented, allocation of human activities.
Correct transposition of the directive into national law is crucial for the development of a sustainable blue economy, the sustainable use of marine resources, and the preservation of healthy marine ecosystems and biodiversity, within the framework of the European Green Deal.
Following the strategic priorities set by the Prime Minister at the 9th Our Ocean Conference, the planning is part of a holistic spatial planning policy for land and sea, progressively implemented by the Greek Government.
Why is Marine Spatial Planning being submitted now?
Marine Spatial Planning is a Roadmap for the utilization of marine resources. Thus, its design was the subject of extended consultation with competent ministries, local authorities, and local communities. It gains even more importance considering that Greece has the longest coastline in the EU and the most recorded islands.
Why was Marine Spatial Planning divided into 4 spatial units?
To reflect the administrative structure of the respective Regions. The relevant marine spatial frameworks will follow, as was the case with Regional Spatial Frameworks (12 out of 13 have already been published, and the 13th is in progress).
Where is Marine Spatial Planning published? How will citizens be informed?
It is published in the Government Gazette, as provided in Greece. The European Union is notified, and it is posted on the relevant online platforms. There will also be informational actions by the Ministry of Environment and Energy.
Does Marine Spatial Planning have geopolitical significance?
The geographic scope of Marine Spatial Planning was defined according to Union legislation and international law of the sea, especially the UNCLOS.
It is the first time that the limits of the Greek continental shelf, meaning the full influence of the mainland and islands, are recorded in an official EU regulatory document.
Marine Spatial Planning implements several European strategies and forms part of the EU acquis.
