TURKISH-GREEK BILATERAL MEETINGS AND RESULTS ON THE ISLANDS ISSUE BEFORE THE FIRST WORLD WAR*
TURKISH-GREEK BILATERAL MEETINGS AND RESULTS ON THE ISLANDS ISSUE BEFORE THE FIRST WORLD WAR*

Summary/Abstract: In this study, it is aimed to clarify and evaluate the issue of the Islands, which is one of the most important disputes between the parties in terms of Turkish-Greek relations and remains up-todate, after the decision of the Great Powers on this issue, especially within the framework of the Turkish-Greek bilateral negotiations. The Islands occupied by Greece during the Balkan Wars had not returned to Türkiye, so this problem constituted the basis for the Islands issue. Although Türkiye has left the determination of the fate of the Islands up to the discretion of Great Powers according to the Treaty of London signed at the end of the First Balkan War, it declared that the Islands, which were inseparable parts of Anatolia, must remain at its disposal and hoped that the Islands issue would be resolved in accordance with its own sensitivities. However, the Great Powers did not take into consideration the vital interests of the Ottoman Empire, thus, deciding to leave the Aegean Islands other than Gökçeada, Bozcaada and Kastellorizo to Greece. The Ottoman Government and the Sublime Porte did not accept this decision and, relying on the decision to leave previously mentioned islands to Türkiye, declared that they would make efforts to fulfill their rightful and legitimate demands on the other Islands as well. Türkiye considered these Islands as indispensable parts of Anatolia, like flesh and bone, and did not give them up, so it made efforts to take back those Islands that were especially essential for its own security, whether through bilateral negotiations with Greece or through war.

• Details
• Contents