Not Thinking Strait? Turkey Won't Let Russian Ships Into Bosphorus
Dozens of Russian ships have reportedly been waiting for hours near the Bosphorus Strait to get the go-ahead from Turkey to be able to pass through the waterway.
In
a clear violation of international norms, Turkish authorities have
created hurdles for Russian vessels passing through the Bosphorus
Strait; as a result, dozens of Russian ships have been waiting for hours
to obtain the green light from Turkey for passage, media reports said.
RIA Novosti quoted Viktor Kravchenko, former chief of staff of the
Russian Navy, as saying that a possible unilateral closure by Turkey
of the Bosphorus Strait for Russian ships would be out of line
with international law.
The 1936 Montreux Convention on the Regime of the Straits regulates
the passage of civilian and naval ships through the Bosphorus Strait and
the Dardanelles. According to Article 2, "merchant vessels shall enjoy
complete freedom of transit and navigation in the Straits, by day and
by night, under any flag and with any kind of cargo, without any
formalities."
As for naval warships, in times of peace Turkey must permit the
passage of small and medium-sized vessels belonging to all nations. The
Black Sea powers (formerly including the USSR and now Russia) can
navigate warships of any class through the Straits, "on condition that
these vessels pass through the Straits singly, escorted by not more
than two destroyers."
In times of war, the passage of warships shall be left entirely to the discretion of the Turkish government, according to the document.
In December 1982, the UN elaborated the Convention on the Law of the Sea, but Turkey refused to join it and the Montreux convention remained in force. In 1994, Turkey unilaterally adopted new Maritime Traffic Regulations for the Straits, and included a number of restrictions for the passage of foreign vessels. Meanwhile, it was reported that French fighter jets will use the Incirlik military base and that the French aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle will receive logistical support in the Turkish port of Mersin.
"Turkey will not close the strait to Russian
vessels en route to Syria because it would be a violation
of international law and the Montreux Convention, in particular, — a
document that was signed by most counties at the time", he said.
The New Mosque is backdropped by Istanbul's skyline and the Bosporus, Thursday, July 9, 2015
In times of war, the passage of warships shall be left entirely to the discretion of the Turkish government, according to the document.
In December 1982, the UN elaborated the Convention on the Law of the Sea, but Turkey refused to join it and the Montreux convention remained in force. In 1994, Turkey unilaterally adopted new Maritime Traffic Regulations for the Straits, and included a number of restrictions for the passage of foreign vessels. Meanwhile, it was reported that French fighter jets will use the Incirlik military base and that the French aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle will receive logistical support in the Turkish port of Mersin.
