The Application of the United Nations Convention on Law of the Sea in the Archipelagos of the Aegean Sea
摘要
The Aegean Sea is a very distinctive part of the semi-enclosed Mediterranean Sea, bordered by Greece and Turkey, but also used by numerous users on a daily basis. The Greek coastline is dominant, followed by the inherent right to claim all the legitimate maritime zones. Apart from the Greek lengthy continental coastline, the abundant presence of insular territories that form an Archipelago is unique. After a brief introduction to basic Law of the Sea elements, the analysis focuses on the morphology of the Aegean Sea, with emphasis given on insular territories that in combination to their surrounding waters form an archipelagos. The term archipelagos is also historically approached in an attempt to highlight the fact that the Aegean Sea has been its matrix. The final part of the chapter focuses on the application of the Law of the Sea Rules in the Aegean Sea as it regards the notion of Archipelagic Regime, as well as the adoption of maritime zones by the littoral states. The main conclusion is that despite the fact that certain Law of the Sea rules are in place, the two neighboring countries have not yet managed to delimit their maritime zones in the Aegean Sea mostly because one of the two parts tends to disregard both written and customary rules. However, it is underlined that an amicable resolution of the delimitation difference would bring the two states closer and it will also provide for the safer and sustainable use of this marine region.