Why do they keep arguing about the Aegean Sea? Is it that nice of a sea?

The Aegean Sea, located between Greece and Turkey, has been the subject of territorial disputes for many decades. The main issue revolves around the delimitation of the continental shelf and exclusive economic zone (EEZ) of the two countries, and the ownership of the numerous small islands and islets in the region.

The conflict dates back to the early 20th century when Greece and Turkey became independent states, and it escalated in the 1970s when hydrocarbon reserves were discovered in the region. The two countries have come close to war on several occasions, most recently in 1996 during the Imia/Kardak crisis, where the two countries almost went to war over a disputed island.

The Aegean Sea is a critical economic and strategic region, as it serves as a major transit route for shipping and energy resources. The unresolved disputes have led to a high degree of tension and instability in the region, hindering economic development and cooperation between Greece and Turkey. The disputes have also created challenges for the European Union, which includes Greece as a member state, and Turkey, a candidate country for membership.

Despite several attempts to resolve the disputes through diplomacy and international law, the two countries have failed to reach a lasting solution. The main reasons for the failure are the conflicting historical and legal claims, the lack of trust between the two countries, and the involvement of external powers in the region.