Media report: Greece and Turkey renew battle over Turkaegean trademark and tourists

Α Decrease font Enlarge font
Media report: Greece and Turkey renew battle over Turkaegean trademark and touristsThe European Union – which Turkey has fruitlessly been trying to join since 2005 – approved the term that essentially allows Turkey to make claims on the Aegean through tourism although Turkey covets the return of Greek islands

Military tensions have eased but Greece and Turkey are fighting it out over tourists and Turkey using a Turkaegean campaign to try to lure visitors to spots along the Aegean that once were Greek.

The European Union – which Turkey has fruitlessly been trying to join since 2005 – approved the term that essentially allows Turkey to make claims on the Aegean through tourism although Turkey covets the return of Greek islands.

Now Greece is fighting back after a new Turkaegean campaign included a full-page ad in The New York Times and a video clip showing young people enjoying sandy beaches and olive groves on Turkey’s Aegean coast on Bloomberg TV.

The popular French daily Le Monde also had a full-page ad for the campaign as Turkey tries to catch up to Greece becoming one of the world’s hot spots in 2022 and again this year.

After a backlash over being caught unaware that Turkey was registering the trademark with the EU, Greece’s New Democracy government hired the Washington, D.C. litigation firm Steptoe & Johnson, said Kathimerini.

The American company will prepare a report backing Greece’s claims at a cost of about $70,000 in a bid to stop Turkey from using the term in the United States and EU, while Turkey is preparing counterarguments.

A decision likely won’t come for t least two years though said Al-Monitor and Greece is facing another ironic complication – so much tourism construction, much of it unlawful, has been allowed that infrastructure on islands can’t keep up and a survey is showing visitors will start shunning Greece in summer.

Too late, Greece in 2022 objected to the Turkaegean trademark after Turkey had already registered it with the EU Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) and the World International Property Organization (WIPO).

“This is not an innocent advert but another argument being used to ultimately question our sovereignty over Greek islands in the Aegean and our rights in maritime economic zones,” George Katrougalos, the former foreign minister from Greece’s major opposition SYIZA said – with elections coming May 21.

“The term implies, as a corollary of  (Turkey’s) propaganda, that all, or most, of the Aegean, is Turkish,” he said, without mentioning it was his party that came away with the name of the Greek province Macedonia to a newly-renamed North Macedonia.

NAME GAME

Most embarrassingly for the government, EUIPO let Turkey have the trademark for the Aegean where many Greek islands are among the most favored attractions, Turkey’s campaign confusing the identity.

Under the decision, Turkey can use Turkaegean in all its advertising campaigns, including for TV, radio, online, tourism accommodation and car rentals, and dozens of other listed services until July 16, 2031, in the EU.

Greece’s government is frantically trying to reverse that – while bringing more attention to the term at the same time – and complaining that tourists are mixed up over what is Greek or Turkish.

European Commission Vice President Margaritis Schinas, from Greece’s ruling New Democracy, sent a sharply worded letter to Internal Market Commissioner Thierry Breton demanding a review of the decision, the news site said.

“EUIPO’s internal controls and procedures have not proved sufficient to identify and notify a case with obvious and potentially serious implications for the external relations of the EU, the sovereign rights of Greece, and the protection of consumers and the EU tourism sector,” he said.

The European Commission replied that Greece had missed the deadline for objecting to the EUIPO but could make an invalidity request to annul it, which is the new strategy.

“We have had a small victory as the EUIPO accepted our request for an invalidity petition, and the litigation process has started,” Greek Infrastructure and Development Minister Adonis Georgiadis said.

That’s so much inside baseball and politicking that tourists don’t care about and until there’s a decision they will continue to see ads and videos about Turkaegean plastered all over major media while Greece can only wince.

“There is no decision that prevents us from using it. Moreover, it is pure paranoia on the part of Athens. Anyone who looks at the map knows that there are two coasts on the Aegean, and one belongs to Turkey,” a Turkish official note named told the site, confident Turkey would win.

“We will do this campaign even more strongly next year and show that the Aegean is not a region of Greece but also a region of Turkey, a tourism brand,” Turkish Deputy Tourism Minister Nadir Alpaslan – who resigned from his post in March – had said earlier.

Read more at thenationalherald.com

RELATED TOPICS: GreeceGreek tourism newsTourism in GreeceGreek islandsHotels in GreeceTravel to GreeceGreek destinationsGreek travel marketGreek tourism statisticsGreek tourism report

Photo Source: Wikimedia Commons License: CC-BY-SA Copyright: Lfdder

Tornos
  1. 05/06 16:25

    IATA presents strategic roadmaps to showcase critical steps for Net Zero by 2050

  2. 04/06 18:09

    Greece taking necessary actions to prevent illegal crossings from Evros river

  3. 04/06 14:18

    The Swedes elect the Greek islands of Cyclades for this summer

  4. 03/06 19:24

    HABA to honor Capital Link chief as Executive of the Year on June 21

  5. 03/06 16:27

    Exodus of Athenians ahead of Holy Spirit long weekend continues at major ports

  6. 03/06 14:20

    A total of 44 parties submit applications for June 25 elections in Greece

  7. 03/06 01:32

    Greek Foreign Minister to attend Turkish President's swearing-in ceremony

  8. 03/06 00:13

    UNWTO Commision for Europe meets in Bulgarian capital of Sofia

  9. 02/06 21:14

    Festival at Greece’s ancient theaters dedicated to opera diva Maria Callas

  10. 02/06 19:23

    Four Greek public hospitals to get upgrades funded by first RRF contract

  11. 02/06 19:07

    Tsarouchis' work "May" breaks painter's sale record in Athens auction

  12. 02/06 17:27

    US Ambassador: Alexandroupoli plays 'key role in achieving energy and climate goals'

  13. 02/06 17:11

    Athens Syntagma tram line affected by Nea Smyrni race on Saturday night

  14. 02/06 00:28

    United States Congressmen open the way to sale of F-35s to Greece

  15. 01/06 21:23

    Media: Calming the waters, Greece and Turkey cancel Aegean military drills

  16. 01/06 17:10

    Fall in Covid-19 infections and flu cases reported in Greece on May 22-28

  17. 01/06 13:28

    Greek RES company announces 1.16 billion euros investment in Canada

  18. 01/06 01:30

    Port Jefferson AHEPA Chapter 319 awards annual scholarships in New York

  19. 31/05 23:44

    Ivanka Trump: Athens Acropolis is where “history comes alive”

  20. 31/05 23:19

    Greek supermarket sales grow 9.1% but volumes drop 3.5% in January-April

  21. 31/05 19:03

    Greek capital celebrates 36th anniversary of Athens 98.4 FM radio station

  22. 31/05 16:49

    SETE board elects its new chief

  23. 31/05 13:41

    EBRD invests $60 million in Skouries mine project in Northern Greece

  24. 30/05 21:48

    AP report: Top 10 most popular Greek & Roman ruins according to Visited

  25. 30/05 20:55

    Greek bond yield drops to its lowest level in 10 months

  26. 30/05 19:41

    Greek Diaspora in special electoral rolls votes in national elections on June 24

  27. 30/05 18:45

    European judges associations to organize spring session in Athens on June 1-3

  28. 30/05 15:34

    Greece's Supreme Court Prosecutor looks into exam system cyber attacks

  29. 29/05 21:26

    Thalassa Benefit for Fordham’s Orthodox Christian Studies Center in NY on May 31

  30. 29/05 18:38

    Dissolution of parliament & June 25 runoff elections officially announced in Greece

  31. 28/05 21:30

    New Greek parliament convenes but will be dissolved as early as Monday

  32. 28/05 19:52

    Holy Trinity Church Cultural Committee holds Ecumenical Patriarchate Symposium

  33. 28/05 00:23

    Greece ranked second globally in incorporating solar photovoltaic technologies

  34. 27/05 00:34

    'Social robot' to support autistic children developed at Macedonia University in Greece

  35. 26/05 22:16

    Former Archbishop of America honored by National Kapodistrian University of Athens

  36. 26/05 20:25

    Newton Shows and St. Paul Cathedral to jointly present Long Island Greek Festival

  37. 26/05 15:32

    Reuters report: Greek bonds trading as though they already have investment grade

  38. 26/05 00:56

    Greece's PPC announces increases in profits, investments and RES projects in Q1

  39. 25/05 20:53

    New ministers in caretaker government announced ahead of second elections in Greece

  40. 25/05 20:08

    Greek professor wins WHO annual award for anti-smoking campaign efforts

  41. 25/05 17:12

    Hike in coronavirus infections and flu cases with 52 deaths In Greece

  42. 25/05 14:58

    Moody's forecast: New ND government in Greece will be 'credit positive'

  43. 24/05 21:27

    New public art exhibit flutters into Greektown of Chicago on June 2

  44. 24/05 20:36

    European Commission: Greece should continue implementing recovery plan consistently

  45. 24/05 18:18

    Deadline to file taxes is extended in Greece to July 31 by Finance Ministry

  46. 24/05 12:31

    State Department: Our cooperation with Greece strengthens NATO and makes the region safer

  47. 24/05 09:14

    ELSTAT: Hospitality enterprises' turnover grows 28.6% in Greece during Q1

  48. 24/05 00:22

    Unemployment drops 7.1% in Greece during April

  49. 24/05 00:21

    World Committee on tourism ethics promotes responsible and inclusive tourism

  50. 23/05 22:19

    Greek PM: Higher salaries a main focus of second-term New Democracy government

  51. 23/05 19:14

    Greek Foreign Minister Dendias visiting Brussels and honored by AHEPA

  52. 23/05 19:06

    Lamda Development announces deal to build first Mandarin Oriental hotel in Athens

  53. 23/05 16:09

    Athens Acropolis Museum in 'Green Cultural Routes' action this weekend

  54. 23/05 13:24

    DBRS: Sunday's vote could lead to credit improvements for Greece

  55. 23/05 00:30

    New narratives in tourism: UNWTO leads rethink of sector communications

  56. 22/05 21:32

    Wall Street Journal: Greek voters rewarded ruling party's pro-business push

  57. 22/05 21:16

    Traffic to be restricted on Alexandras avenue in downtown Athens as of May 23

  58. 22/05 20:23

    OANA meeting on May 24 over sustainable power generation and summer youth activities

  59. 22/05 19:26

    US State Department congratulates Greece on Sunday's electoral results

  60. 22/05 14:35

    Athens Stock Exchange rises 7.11% after election results

  61. 21/05 16:41

    Media: Greece recovers hundreds of stolen artifacts including Alexander’s statue

  62. 21/05 15:51

    Participation of Greek voters in today's elections at 31,52% so far

  63. 21/05 11:38

    Reduced power tariffs in Greece announced for June

  64. 20/05 23:54

    Travel Counsellors reports spike in all-inclusive bookings - Greece among top destinations

  65. 20/05 18:30

    City of Athens presents Ecumenical Patriarch with its highest distinction

  66. 20/05 14:22

    Polls open for Diaspora Greeks in historic first for the country

  67. 20/05 14:11

    Greece prepares for election day on Sunday

  68. 20/05 00:42

    UNWTO Executive Council meets in Punta Cana of the Dominican Republic

  69. 19/05 21:53

    Greece's Interior Ministry releases practical information for voters

  70. 19/05 20:09

    Zappeion press center open in central Athens as of 9:00 am Saturday

  71. 19/05 19:59

    National e-Mobility Plan posted for public consultation in Greece to June 16

  72. 19/05 16:00

    New cases of SARS-CoV-2 slightly up in Greece

  73. 18/05 23:55

    Greek Prime Minister: Thessaloniki Metro commitment met successfully

  74. 18/05 21:18

    Safety Audit for Ground Operations reaches 15 years of advancing aviation safety

  75. 18/05 18:51

    Athens Megaron Garden events this summer with Lena Platonos feature, opera screenings

  76. 18/05 11:42

    International Museum Day with free entrance and special events in Greece

  77. 18/05 00:02

    UNWTO identifies priorities for promoting rural tourim potential

  78. 17/05 22:03

    International Air Transport Association: Bookings points to strong peak season travel

  79. 17/05 17:07

    Greek Maritime Golf Event, the best golf tournament returns for its 9th year

  80. 17/05 15:17

    Green light for the construction of Panathinaikos Stadium in Votanikos of Athens

  81. 17/05 14:43

    Greek firms announce deal for developing renewable energy projects in Egypt

  82. 17/05 14:26

    Greece auctions 10-year and 15-year bonds with success

  83. 16/05 22:22

    Greek FM: Greece and Turkey could create 'a burst of opportunities and growth'

  84. 16/05 22:15

    The Global Greek Film Initiative holds Inaugural Benefit Event on May 4th

  85. 16/05 18:58

    Greece requests new €1.72 billion disbursement from EU's Recovery Fund

  86. 16/05 16:48

    Focus Africa Conference to boost aviation’s contribution to African Development

  87. 16/05 13:07

    Athens Chamber of Commerce: New type of consumer is emerging

  88. 15/05 20:57

    Greece launches research center for management of stranded marine animals

  89. 15/05 17:02

    Prince Albert II of Monaco to visit the island of Elafonissos on May 29

  90. 15/05 16:09

    Greek budget recorded 2.434 billion euros primary surplus in January-April

  91. 15/05 09:13

    The President of the Hellenic Republic visiting Iceland on May 15-17

  92. 14/05 16:06

    Diaspora Greeks to vote on May 20

  93. 14/05 15:14

    Greek Tourism Minister expects 2023 sector performance to top last year by 10-20%

  94. 13/05 22:01

    UNWTO organizes executive training on tourism for rural growth in Middle East

  95. 12/05 22:22

    Greek PM from Rhodes: South Aegean has had highest population growth in Greece

  96. 12/05 21:26

    Dr. Jigang Bao clinches UNWTO Ulysses Prize for excellence in tourism scholarship

  97. 12/05 21:03

    Greek sites and museums change open hours on May 21

  98. 12/05 14:19

    Fitch: Greek Stability Programme records strong improvement in public finances

  99. 12/05 11:09

    Greek FM participating in the Informal Meeting of EU Foreign Ministers "Gymnich"

  100. 11/05 19:33

    Rise in coronavirus infections and drop in flu cases in Greece