C4 Defence: Greece, Egypt and Türkiye Tensions in the Mediterranean

Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias, who was visiting Cairo, met his Egyptian counterpart Sameh Shoukry. In a joint press statement, the ministers announced that the two countries had signed an exclusive economic zone (EEZ) agreement.

Minister Shoukry stated that the agreement would allow both countries to make maximum use of the resources in the exclusive economic zone, which holds particular promise of oil and gas reserves. Greek Foreign Minister Dendias claimed that the agreement was "within the framework of international law".

Türkiye responded with the statement: "The so-called maritime jurisdiction areas delimitation agreement announced to have been signed is null and void for Türkiye." The Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated: "The so-called delimited area lies within the Turkish continental shelf, which has also been notified to the United Nations."

A statement also came from the Bahçeşehir University Center for Maritime and Global Strategies (BAUDEGS), chaired by retired Rear Admiral Cihat Yaycı, the architect of the Exclusive Economic Zone work with Libya:

BAUDEGS: "It is clear that the agreement usurps Türkiye's legal rights. Sending military vessels to the region to show that the EEZ belongs to us is not a meaningful solution, because military vessels can freely conduct training anywhere. A seismic research or drilling vessel must urgently be sent to the region to show that this area belongs to us and to stand up for our rights. Furthermore, and most importantly, without losing any time, an EEZ should urgently be declared in the Eastern Mediterranean, as if agreements had also been made with Israel and Lebanon."

Egypt and Greece argue that the maritime jurisdiction delimitation agreement Türkiye signed with Libya violates international law.

In June 2020, Greece had signed an EEZ agreement with Italy dividing sovereign rights in the Ionian Sea.

Source:www.c4defence.com/Arsiv/akdenizde-sular-isindi/10515/1