Turkish Claims- Turkish Expansionism in the Aegean – Required Greek Responses

Scientific and Structured Presentation of Greek Counter-claims against Arbitrary Turkish Assertions. (Based on the Treaty of Lausanne 1923, other international treaties, and historical facts) The Treaty of Lausanne (July 24, 1923) constitutes the foundation of the Greek-Turkish status quo regarding the Aegean, minorities, borders, religious freedoms, and respect for history and culture. Due to the fact that Turkey has never respected and continues to aggressively dispute the said treaty, Greece should place on the table—against Turkey's arbitrary and constantly newly invented demands—counter-claims based on Turkey's violations of Lausanne (Articles 12, 13, 14, 37-45), unfulfilled compensation obligations, human rights violations, and the right to lawful self-defense (UN Charter, Article 51). Below are presented the points, in a structured format with their legal basis, historical data, and proposed counter-claims. Additional elements are included to complete the framework (based on international sources and treaties). THE FUNDAMENTAL RULE OF NATIONAL FOREIGN POLICY IS RECIPROCITY (in case they are not yet aware of this in Athens). 1. Lausanne – Islets / Islands within or beyond 3 nautical miles from Turkish coasts • Legal Basis (Article 12 of Lausanne): "Except where a provision to the contrary exists, the islands situated at less than three miles from the Asiatic coast remain under Turkish sovereignty." Conversely, all islands, islets, and rocks beyond 3 miles from the Turkish coasts (including those named in the 1914 Decision of London) belong to Greece. • Nominally (according to the Treaty): o Imbros (Gökçeada) and Tenedos (Bozcaada) (explicit exception in favor of Turkey, Article 14). o Rabbit Islands (Tavşan Adaları) – a small group of islets near Tenedos/entrance of the Dardanelles, in favor of Turkey. • The 3-Mile Rule: There is no exhaustive nominal list of small islets/rocks; the general 3-mile rule applies. (Imia, for instance, is located 3.8 miles away from the Turkish coast; furthermore, it was Italian territory ceded to Greece in 1947/48. Therefore, Turkey is not a contracting party to any relevant treaty giving it a say, while Greece maintains that sovereignty is clear based on Lausanne). Greek Counter-claim: Greece must claim all islets beyond 3 miles from the coasts of Asia Minor (a total of 11 islands and a large number of rocks) currently held illegally by Turkey. This must be the response to the invented Turkish "gray zones" and the disputing of Greek sovereignty. Lausanne leaves no doubt regarding sovereignty in the Aegean.