Η ΑΡΧΗ ΤΗΣ ΜΕΣΗΣ ΓΡΑΜΜΗΣ ΣΤΟ ΔΙΚΑΙΟ ΤΗΣ ΘΑΛΑΣΣΑΣ

The equidistance principle in the Law of the Sea Polykarpos Adamidis Attorney at Law, ad. Professor of EU Law, International Relations and Procurement at the Hellenic Military Academy ISBN 978-960-654-393-7 Abstract: The delimitation of the maritime zones touches upon critical security and economic interests of the affected and interested countries.The institutional frame- work within which it takes place, is the Law of the Sea, as it has been depicted in the Treaty of Montego Bay (1982), under the auspices of the United Nations. The contribution of the competent international judicial authorities and the arbitration tribunals, inthedeterminationandapplicationoftheTreatyguidelines, iscrucial.The International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea and the International Court of Hague have shaped the cornerstone principles on the delimitation, under discussion. The method that guarantees the compliance with the aforesaid principles and criteria in the delimitation of maritime zones, is the so called equidistance or median line. Exceptions, intermsofapplicationofalternativemethods,canalsotakeplace,onthe grounds of reasoned necessity for the achievement of an equitable solution. In the course of the application of the equidistance line, all the special circumstances that admittedly apply, alongwith the principle of proportionality and the special features of the relevant coastlines, including their length, are taken into account in order to reach an equitable solution. A detailed and reasoned analysis must take place, given the steady case law, that every case is unique and must be judged, in accordance with this presumption. Of special interest is the role of isles and the islands and the priority attached upon the so called insularity. COPYRIGHT All rights reserved. No part of this publicationmay be reproduced, stored in a retriev- al system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, without the prior permis- sion of NOMIKI BIBLIOTHIKI S.A., or as expressly permitted by law or under the terms agreed with the appropriate reprographic rights organization. Enquiries concerning reproduction which may not be covered by the above should be addressed to NO- MIKI BIBLIOTHIKI S.A. at the address below. DISCLAIMER The content of this work is intended for information purposes only and should not be treated as legal advice.The publication is necessarily of a general nature; NOMIKI BIBLIOTHIKI, the author and the contributors make no claim as to the comprehen- siveness or accuracy of the information provided; Information is not offered for the purpose of providing individualized legal advice. Professional advice should there- fore be sought before any action is undertaken based on this publication. Use of this work does not create an attorney-client or any other relationship between the user and NOMIKI BIBLIOTHIKI, or the author, or the rest of contributors. 23 Mavromichali str. | 106 80 | Athens | Greece T +30 210 3678 800 | F +30 210 3678 819 www.nb.org | info@nb.org © 2021, NOMIKI BIBLIOTHIKI S.A. LawPublishers inEurope Also available at: www. qualex .gr