Since 2004, 152 islands, islets and rocks that belong to the Republic of Turkey are occupied by Greece.
One of the occupied islands is Eşek Adası (Donkey Island), located within the provincial borders of Aydın. (Map -2)
EU AND LATVIA ARE ALSO INTRUDERS
It has been detected that the invasion of our islands is not limited by Greek action. The Frontex Agency of the European Union as well as Latvia took a part in the invasion too. (Photo 3)
Turkish news agencies reported and the official web site of Turkish General Staff confirmed that a coast guard boat with a Latvian flag and Latvian soldiers has been deployed within the FRONTEX context to the island, patrolling the surrounding waters. (Photo 4)
ACCORDING TO THE TREATY OF LAUSANNE, EŞEK ISLAND IS TURKISH TERRITORY
On the map (no.2), added to Par. 15 of the Lausanne Treaty from 1923, the 14 islands left over by treaty to Italy are underlined with red colour. Eşek Island is not one of them. (Map 5)
152 ISLANDS, ISLETS AND ROCKS ARE OCCUPIED
This is one of those islands, islets and rocks that had not been transferred to Greece within the Treaty of Belongings in Aegean Sea, as 152 other islands as well. These islands and territories have been transferred from Ottoman Empire to the Republic of Turkey by curatorship.
EU AND LATVIA ARE VIOLATING INTERNATIONAL AGREEMENTS
By charging a Latvian coast guard boat in the context of FRONTEX to patrol a Turkish island, EU and Latvia have violated the 1923 Treaty of Lausanne and the Treaty of Paris. (Photo 6)
It is impossible to understand the situation that Latvian coast guard boats are carrying on a task of FRONTEX in Eşek Island. (Photo 7)
According to the treaties, the island is not one of those transferred to Greece. It does not lie within the boundaries of EU. (Map 8)
On British maps dated from 1939 (Map-9), and 1943 (Map-10) as well as on American maps dated from 1951 (Map-11), and 1957 (Map-12), it can be seen clearly that Eşek Island belongs to the Republic of Turkey.
EU AND LATVIA MUST WITHDRAW FROM THE EŞEK ISLAND
In the light of this information, it’s clear that the EU and Latvia have violated the Helsinki Final Act’s principles of “No invasion of boundaries” and “Respect to territorial integrity of countries”.
EU AND LATVIA ARE VIOLATING TURKEY’S RIGHTS OF SOVEREIGNTY
The EU and Latvia must withdraw the coast guard boats and soldiers from Eşek Island immediately.
A confirmation of the act of withdrawal must be given to the Turkish public and us.
THE PATRIOTIC PARTY (TURKEY) WILL PRESENT AN OPEN LETTER TO THE EU
Today at 15:00, a letter including the issues mentioned above, will be given to the EU representation in Turkey by a delegation committee of the Patriotic Party (Turkey).
Our similar request will be transmitted to the Embassies of Latvia and Greece in the coming days.