Greece and Egypt are examining and negotiating to expand their exclusive economic zone (EEZ) eastward towards Cyprus. These developments have gained significant attention following the approval of the controversial maritime agreement between Libya and Turkey by the parliament of eastern Libya this week. George Grapatritis, the Greek Foreign Minister, reported on the progress of these negotiations and emphasized that any expansion of the agreement between Greece and Egypt will fully comply with international law and the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
Opposition to the Turkey-Libya Agreement
Greece, Egypt, and Cyprus have consistently opposed the maritime agreement between Turkey and Libya, believing that it unlawfully undermines their maritime claims in the Eastern Mediterranean. The foreign ministers of Greece and Egypt expressed their opposition to the ratification of the 2019 agreement between Turkey and Libya during a joint meeting, reaffirming their commitment to international law and the UNCLOS. They believe this agreement contradicts the principles of international legal norms and should be seriously reviewed.
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Previous Agreements and New Dimensions
Greece and Egypt had previously signed an agreement in 2020 to define the borders of their exclusive economic zone in the Mediterranean Sea. This agreement is recognized as an important step towards strengthening bilateral cooperation and protecting their national interests in the maritime domain. Given the recent developments in eastern Libya and the ongoing tensions between Turkey and Greece in the Mediterranean, the expansion of this agreement could add new dimensions to the bilateral relations between Greece and Egypt and contribute to regional stability.
Ultimately, these negotiations between Greece and Egypt could have significant impacts on the political and economic equations in the Mediterranean Sea. This region, rich in energy resources and strategic trade routes, has always been at the center of international attention. Therefore, the expansion of the exclusive economic zone between Greece and Egypt could be seen as a positive step towards enhancing security and regional cooperation.
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