Historically speaking, relations between Ankara and Athens have been experiencing tumultuous periods, as shown by the “quarrel” over Cyprus. The “Aegean Dispute” can be considered as second source of tensions between the two countries which have been close to falling into war in more than one occasion.

Such a “dispute” can be defined as a «set of interrelated controversial issues […] over sovereignty and pertinent rights in the area of the Aegean Sea»[3]; issues that are mainly linked to the delimitation of respective national waters and airspace and to the use of the continental shelf. A “dispute” that, «for many decades, especially since 1974, […] [has been] the most controversial aspects of the relations between Greece and Turkey»[4].

What happened on Monday, should it be confirmed, wouldn’t be the only “incident” in 2014. In fact, reciprocal disturbance occurred, for example, in July and September and, as it may be understood by reading titles that national media used to describe the various events, it’s clear that the “dispute” over the Aegean Sea is far from being over even on its “fortieth birthday”.

Figura 1 – World Bulletin. Image taken from Turkish news website World Bulletin (September 30, 2014).

Source: http://www.worldbulletin.net/news/145449/greek-f-16s-harrass-turkish-warship-aircraft.

Figura 2 – Ekathimerini. Image taken from Greek news website Ekathimerini (July 9, 2014). 

Source: http://www.ekathimerini.com/4dcgi/_w_articles_wsite1_1_09/07/2014_541243.