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ΑTLAS OF GREEK-TURKISH RELATIONS
Athens FIR limits and the area claimed by Turkey in 1974 as part of the Istanbul FIR
GREECE
TURKEY Aegean Sea
Ionian Sea
Athens
Area claimed by Turkey with NOTAM 714/1974 as part of the Istanbul
Athens FIR limit
f. The Athens FIR and the ICAO The dispute between Greece and Turkey as regards the Athens FIR concerns an international jurisdictional regime which has been established by way of a multilateral convention. Greece controls and coordinates all flights within that specific area. It does not exercise sovereign control. Turkey, on the other hand, has sought to create the impression that Greece is presenting itself as the sovereign state over the entire region, including the international airspace. The question of the Athens FIR has been the only issue that has seen such protracted and constant interventions by an international
organization, the ICAO. This has been due to the fact that the differences between Greece and Turkey have inevitably also impacted international air navigation. The solutions which were ultimately provided between 1980 and 2003 have satisfied the international community. Any remaining issues that are still outstanding (such as, for example, the violations of Greek national airspace by Turkish fighter planes), are regarded as expressly Greco-Turkish issues, i.e. as being matters that only “happen” to be taking place within the context of an international regime.