Ankara warns against unilateral changes to Aegean islands' demilitarized status citing international treaties

Türkiye warns against undermining the demilitarized status of Aegean islands, citing the 1923 Treaty of Lausanne and 1947 Paris Peace Treaty.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 5, 2026, 7:31 AM EST

Source: The information in this article was sourced from Hürriyet Daily News

Defending the demilitarized legal framework

The Turkish Foreign Ministry has issued a stern warning regarding the objective legal status of several islands in the Aegean Sea. Spokesperson Öncü Keçeli characterized recent remarks attempting to undermine the established framework as "unserious, unfortunate, and ill-timed." Ankara maintains that the demilitarized status of these territories is not open to debate, as it was explicitly defined under the 1923 Treaty of Lausanne and the 1947 Paris Peace Treaty. Türkiye views any military buildup or legal reclassification of these islands as a direct violation of international law.

Opposition to political "fait accomplis"

In a statement released via social media, Keçeli emphasized that Türkiye would not allow for any "fait accompli"—unilateral actions intended to create a new reality on the ground—that bypasses existing international agreements. The spokesperson attributed the recent surge in claims to "certain circles" utilizing disinformation for domestic political gain. Ankara warned that such narratives have no legal validity and only serve to escalate tensions in a region that has faced long-standing territorial and maritime disputes between Türkiye and Greece.

The strategic importance of the 1923 and 1947 treaties

The dispute centers on the Eastern Aegean islands and the Dodecanese, which were transferred under the condition that they remain demilitarized to ensure the security of the Turkish mainland and maintain regional balance. Türkiye argues that these treaties form the bedrock of Aegean stability. Any unilateral steps or rhetoric suggesting that these islands can be militarized are seen by Ankara as a threat to its national security and a breach of the foundational agreements that shaped the modern borders of the Eastern Mediterranean.