Greek authorities reported that a protective wire fence has been erected along the Meriç River, marking the land border with Turkey. The announcement highlighted that the Meriç corridor runs through key sections of the frontier and is part of a broader effort to strengthen border control and regional security. According to the official press briefing, the total land boundary spans roughly 200 kilometers, with about 37.5 kilometers already provisioned with fencing and related barriers. An urgent decision has been made to complete the initial 35 kilometers in the central portion of the border, supported by a budget of 100 million euros. This move comes as part of Greece’s ongoing measures to boost border integrity and homeland safety, aligning with recent security assessments and defense planning. The emphasis remains on rapid deployment, efficient project execution, and effective coordination with national and regional authorities to address evolving border pressures.
In related remarks dated December 30, the Greek Minister of National Defense underscored that NATO must address perceived Turkish military threats to Greece, highlighting Greece’s legal right to extend its territorial waters to 12 nautical miles. The defense chief framed the issue within a broader security narrative that links alliance responsibilities to state sovereignty and maritime demarcation rights. These comments reflect Greece’s position that sovereignty claims and international law justify a measured expansion of territorial waters where feasible and safe to do so, particularly in critical sea lanes and adjacent zones [citation: Greek Ministry of Defense, official communications].
Responding to developments, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu asserted that Ankara would not permit Greece to extend its territorial sea in the Aegean, signaling continued disagreement over maritime boundaries between the two neighbors. The Turkish side earlier warned Athens against any attempts to broaden the borders in the Aegean region, signaling a readiness to challenge unilateral changes through diplomatic and, if necessary, political channels. These exchanges illustrate the persistent sensitivity of border governance and maritime rights in the Aegean, with both sides stressing national sovereignty and security imperatives in North Aegean and Thrace corridors. Observers note that the border fencing initiative and these diplomatic exchanges occur within a broader regional context, where migration management, regional stability, and alliance commitments intersect with sovereignty claims and regional power dynamics [citation: Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, official statements].
Analysts point out that border barriers, while controversial in some circles, are frequently deployed as a tool to synchronize deterrence with humanitarian considerations, ensuring that border control measures are both effective and compliant with international norms. The Meriç project represents a phased approach to infrastructure hardening, combining physical barriers with monitoring technologies, patrols, and coordinated risk assessments. Authorities emphasize that the aim is not to escalate tensions but to bolster legitimate border protection, reduce illicit crossings, and create a clearer framework for lawful entry procedures. The plan also includes schedules for procurement, construction milestones, and oversight mechanisms to maintain transparency and accountability throughout the implementation phase. Stakeholders in the region are watching closely to see how these steps influence security posture, regional cooperation, and the practical management of border communities [citation: Greek border security briefings].