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Grey Zones theory (Greek: Γκρίζες Ζώνες Turkish: Ege Denizi'ndeki gri bölgeler) is a diplomatic term unformally introduced by the Turkish government at 1996 as Imia/Kardak crisis aftermath which describes the Turkish teritorial claims in the area of Aegean Sea. Turkish claims include several islands currently under Greek Dominion (some of them inhabited) as well as numerous islets across the Turkish coasts. Grey Zones along with Cyprus dispute compose the two main issues that maintain tensions between the two neighboring countries.

Greek stance
Greek diplomacy line remains unchanged all these years. Greek side refuse to join any kind of discussions about "grey zones" in Aegean Sea, supporting that Greek dominion of these islands and islets is non negotiatable as it has been sufficiently defined by the Treaty of Lausanne and the Convention between Italy and Turkey (1932).

An Undeclared War
Many years before the conflict get its unofficial name until today a lot of incidents - directly related with the Grey Zone theory - have taken place in Aegean air and sea causing material and life losses for both sides.


 * June 18, 1992 - Nikolaos Sialmas losses his life after crashing his Mirage F1 to the sea after an intent virtual dogfight with a Turkish F-16.


 * February, 1995 - After an intent virtual dogfight above Rhodes island with 2 Greek Mirage F1, a Turkish F-16 is getting crashed in the sea. The Turkish pilot ejects at the last moment. Lightly injured, he is collected from the sea by a Greek helicopter.


 * January 31, 1996 - During the Imia/Kardak crisis a Greek helicopter that was patroling over the islets is getting crashed to the sea due to the bad weather. All crew members (Christodoulos Karathanasis, Panagiotis Vlahos, Ektoras Gialopsos) lost their lives.


 * October 8, 1996 - During a virtual dogfight above Eastern Agean Sea between 2 Greek Mirage 2000, 6 Turkish jets (2 Phantom F-4 and 4 F-16) an explosion occures in a Turkish F-16. The trkish pilot is killed instantly and the co-pilot who ejected on time was saved.