ATHENS — Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias has instructed the Greek embassy in Ankara to deliver a demarche to Turkish authorities over illegal fishing by Turkish fishing boats in Greek territorial waters, in the context of securing Greece's national sovereignty and protection of the European acquis, the foreign ministry announced on Monday.

The statement also deplored the Turkish coast guard's practice of escorting the Turkish fishing boats and harassing Greek fishing boats in Greek waters. It noted that illegal fishing in Greek territorial waters was a violation of European legislation, in addition to being yet another violation by Turkey of the international law of the sea.

"Turkey, unfortunately, is relentlessly continuing its illegal behaviour. The Greek side, dedicated to defending its rights arising from international law will leave no challenge unanswered," the statement concluded.