Press Release Regarding the Allegations and News About Some Islands and/or Islets in the Aegean Sea

Republic Of Türkiye Ministry Of Foreign Affairs 01.10.2016

No: 242, 1 October 2016

The recent allegations and reports that Turkey has transferred the sovereignty of some islands and/or islets in the Aegean Sea since 2003 to another country are completely inaccurate.

On the other hand, it is a fact that there is a set of inter-related problems regarding the Aegean Sea between Turkey and our neighbor Greece. The legal status of certain geographical features in the Aegean and in this connection, lack of maritime boundaries between Turkey and Greece delimited by a valid international agreement are among these problems.

As is known, Aegean issues are dealt with through the existing dialogue channels between Turkey and Greece in all their aspects.

There has been no change in the legal status of the islands, islets and rocks in the Aegean in the last 13 years.

Atatürk

Resul Şahinol Consul General
Monday - Friday

09:00 - 13:00 / 14:00 - 17:00

09:00 - 13:00 In-person Application Hours 14:00 - 17:00 Information or applications by phone and mail
1/1/2026 1/1/2026 New Year's Day
1/19/2026 1/19/2026 Martin Luther King Jr. Day
2/16/2026 2/16/2026 Presidents' Day
3/20/2026 3/20/2026 Ramazan Bayramı 1. gün
5/25/2026 5/25/2026 Memorial day
5/27/2026 5/27/2026 Kurban Bayramı 1. Gün
6/19/2026 6/19/2026 Juneteeth
7/3/2026 7/3/2026 Independence Day
9/7/2026 9/7/2026 Labor Day
10/12/2026 10/12/2026 Columbus Day
10/29/2026 10/29/2026 Turkish National Day
11/11/2026 11/11/2026 Veterans Day
11/26/2026 11/26/2026 Thanksgiving Day
12/25/2026 12/25/2026 Christmas
1/1/2027 1/1/2027 New Year's Day