In a bid to address ongoing tensions in the Eastern Mediterranean, Greece and Egypt have agreed to initiate talks to potentially extend their current maritime boundary agreement. The proposed extension aims to expand their exclusive economic zone (EEZ) eastward, a move that comes amid renewed disputes over maritime claims involving Turkey and Libya.
The initiative was discussed during a telephone conversation between Greek Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis and Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty. Both nations also expressed opposition to Libya’s recent ratification of a maritime agreement with Turkey, which has added complexity to regional maritime disputes.
Greece and Egypt had previously established an EEZ between the 26th and 28th meridians through an agreement signed in August 2020. The potential extension would cover areas east of the 28th meridian, a line that passes through the Greek island of Rhodes.
This development follows Libya’s endorsement of its maritime pact with Turkey, which has been a point of contention for Athens and Cairo. Both Greece and Egypt argue that islands should play a significant role in determining maritime boundaries, a principle they believe is overlooked in the Turkish-Libyan memorandum.
Technical-level consultations between Greece and Egypt are anticipated to begin soon as they work towards advancing discussions on the proposed extension. Meanwhile, Greece has voiced its intention to elevate concerns regarding the Turkish-Libyan agreement to the European Union and the United Nations, advocating for a coordinated international response.
Turkey, however, maintains that the memorandum with Libya is valid and asserts that external evaluations cannot invalidate the agreement. The ongoing Greek-Egyptian efforts underscore the persistent disagreements over maritime jurisdiction and influence in the Eastern Mediterranean region.