Source: European Parliament
Priority question for written answer P-001602/2025
to the Commission
Rule 144
Nikolaos Anadiotis (NI)
According to Directive 2014/89/EU[1], Member States were required to adopt and implement maritime spatial plans by 31 March 2021. Greece has not yet complied, which affects not only its national interests but also the interests of the EU as a whole, as it undermines the uniform application of European law and the sustainable development of maritime areas.
The Greek government invoked force majeure, namely the negotiations on the delimitation of the EEZ with Egypt, among others. However, on 27 February 2025, the Court of Justice of the European Union definitively condemned Greece for its non-compliance (case C-128/24[2]), rejecting the argument by noting that the obligation to comply cannot be suspended due to bilateral negotiations and that Member States must comply with their obligations regardless of internal or external factors, and imposed a fine. On 16 April 2025, the Greek Government hastily published an ‘MSP Charter’.[3]
In view of the above, does the charter in question meet the requirements of the directive and is it sufficient to suspend the administrative fine that Greece is paying for its non-compliance immediately, following the rulings against it by the European Court?
Submitted: 22.4.2025