Greece and Egypt are set to commence negotiations aimed at extending their maritime boundary agreement eastward in the Eastern Mediterranean. This initiative comes amid ongoing regional tensions over conflicting maritime claims, notably involving Turkey and Libya, which have been exacerbated by Libya’s recent ratification of a maritime memorandum with Turkey.
The discussions were initiated during a telephone conversation between Greek Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis and his Egyptian counterpart Badr Abdelatty. Both nations have expressed their disapproval of the Turkish-Libyan maritime agreement, which they argue does not appropriately consider the role of islands in determining maritime boundaries.
Greece and Egypt previously established an exclusive economic zone (EEZ) between the 26th and 28th meridians through an agreement signed in August 2020. The proposed extension would further cover areas east of the 28th meridian, passing through the island of Rhodes. This move to expand their EEZ is part of a broader strategy by Athens and Cairo to assert their maritime rights in the face of competing claims in the region.
Technical consultations are anticipated to begin soon as both countries work to advance discussions on the proposed extension. Greece has also indicated plans to bring attention to the Turkish-Libyan deal within the European Union and United Nations, urging for a coordinated international response to the matter.
Turkey, meanwhile, has defended its memorandum with Libya, asserting 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, highlighting the complex geopolitical landscape of the region.