On February 24, 2022, Vladimir Putin ordered to invade Ukraine, which triggered the beginning of the war between Russia and the country ruled by Zelensky. It is undeniable that this event not only marked a turning point in the history of the powers involved, but also a turning point in the foreign policy of the European Union. However, the confrontation that is taking place on the Eastern European front is not the only conflict area that threatens the security of the Old Continent. This threat is compounded by the recent confrontation taking place between Israel and Gaza. For all these reasons, in a context in which wars are beginning to besiege the European Union, this organization needs more than ever to ensure the strength of its borders and close partnership among its members. However, the dispute between Turkey and Greece in the Aegean Sea over territorial water rights also poses a threat to the security of the EU, especially since in recent years tensions between the two have escalated into threats of armed conflict.

The root of this conflict lies in the fact that the two contenders have an opposing interpretation of the international treaties defining the ownership of territorial waters belonging to each country. As a consequence, when in 2020 Turkey sent its seismic vessel research ; Oruc Reis near the Greek island of Kastellorizo, this expedition meant for Greece a violation of its territory. According to the Hellenic country, as stipulated by the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), the Turkish vessel had sailed through a space belonging to Greece. However, Turkey did not recognize these claims. Finally, in 2022, tensions came to a head when both countries accused each other of violations of their air and maritime space.

For the European Union, this outlook is alarming, as the legal and economic status of both countries makes this potential conflict a direct threat to its geopolitical interests.

Both Turkey and Greece are members of NATO, so if either of them materializes its intimidations, NATO would be involved in an unprecedented status , because since its creation in 1949, there have been no aggressions between member countries. That is why, since this is not a contest in which one of the two contenders is external to the alliance, article 5, which states that "The Parties agree that an armed attack against one or more of them, taking place in Europe or North America, shall be considered as an attack directed against them all, and consequently, agreement agree that if such an attack occurs, each of them, in exercise of the right of individual or collective self-defense recognized by article 51 of the Charter of the United Nations, shall assist the Party or Parties attacked, and shall thereupon, individually and in concert with the other Parties, take such action as it deems necessary".      

The central problem in this conflict is that since both countries belong to NATO, article cannot be applied. Thus, the absence of specific protocols providing for aggression between members of the alliance raises questions as to what would happen in the event that either country attacks the other.

On the other hand, Greece is part of the EU, while Turkey, despite not belonging to this organization, has a special economic relationship based on the establishment of a customs union between the two powers. This agreement is of great importance since it allows the free circulation of goods, the application of a common external tariff as well as the alignment of Turkish legislation with the Community's internal market rules and regulations .

In short, it is necessary to mention that the Aegean Sea is a vital corridor for international trade, as it connects the Mediterranean Sea and the Black Sea, facilitating the maritime traffic of goods between Asia, Africa and Europe.

Given the scenario described above, it seems clear that the European Union and NATO will have to put on internship those values that are their flagship: dialogue and diplomacy, with the goal of promote peace and territorial cohesion between Turkey and Greece, powers that, as neighboring countries and members of the EU and the northern alliance, are doomed to understand each other, to respect each other and to reach a agreement.