PodcastKanal Istanbul jeopardizes Montreux: Turkey's former chief of staff
The controversial Kanal Istanbul project could jeopardize Montreux Convention, former chief of staff İlker Başbuğ said. Başbuğ noted that in the case of a change in conditions, which this project would create, member states could annul or choose not to abide by the convention.
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The 'crazy project' of President Tayyip Erdoğan dubbed as 'Kanal Istanbul', which aims to build an artificial canal in Thrace, might jeopardize the Montreux Convention, former chief of staff İlker Başbuğ said.
"In case of a change in conditions, member parties reserve the right to annul or stop abiding by the convention. And this constitutes a major change in the conditions," Başbuğ says.
Signed in 1936, Montreux Convention gives Turkey full control of the Bosphorus in Istanbul and the Dardanelle Strait in Çanakkale. The convention also holds that civilian ships can use the passages in peace time, but that naval ships not belonging to Black Sea states would not be permitted. The convention also reinstated Turkey's right to militarize the straits.
Başbuğ noted that Kanal Istanbul would essentially divide Thrace into two and that it would severely limit movement in the area.
"We should prepare for possible scenarios. If there were an attack, where would I defend Thrace from?" Başbuğ said.