TR
BAUDEGS Opinion on the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) Agreement Signed Between Egypt and Greece
06.08.2020
Following the EEZ agreement signed today between Egypt and Greece, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Türkiye published a statement on the matter on its official website. The statement read as follows:
"There is no maritime boundary between Greece and Egypt. The so-called maritime jurisdiction areas delimitation agreement announced to have been signed today is null and void for Türkiye. This understanding of ours will be demonstrated on the ground and at the table.
The so-called delimited area lies within the Turkish continental shelf, which has also been notified to the United Nations."
As BAUDEGS, our view is that the expression "continental shelf" in this statement should be changed to "Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ)". The agreement signed between Türkiye and Libya is an EEZ agreement. That is why we believe the expression used here should also be corrected to EEZ.
In addition, it is clear that the agreement concluded in this area 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.
It is considered beneficial and necessary for the rights and interests of our country that the above points be implemented.
