Greece and Egypt are discussing an eastward extension of their Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) towards Cyprus, as tensions grow over Turkey’s disputed maritime agreement with Libya.
Greek Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis confirmed the talks on Thursday, October 22, following the ratification of the 2019 Turkey-Libya maritime memorandum by eastern Libya’s parliament earlier this week.
The proposed extension would build on the maritime agreement signed by Greece and Egypt in 2020, which established part of their respective EEZs in the eastern Mediterranean.
Gerapetritis said any expansion would comply fully with international law and the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
Greece and Egypt Reject Turkey-Libya Maritime Deal
Greece, Egypt and Cyprus have consistently opposed the Turkey-Libya maritime agreement, arguing that it disregards their maritime rights and claims in the eastern Mediterranean.
The 2019 memorandum between Ankara and the internationally recognised Libyan government at the time established a disputed maritime boundary between Turkey and Libya. Greece maintains that the arrangement cannot lawfully override the maritime rights of other states, including those arising from the Greek islands in the region.
The decision by eastern Libya’s parliament to ratify the agreement has renewed concerns in Athens over Ankara’s regional ambitions and the potential implications for maritime boundaries.
Following discussions, Gerapetritis and Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty reaffirmed their opposition to the memorandum’s ratification and their commitment to international law and UNCLOS.
Strategic Implications for Cyprus and the Eastern Mediterranean
An extension of the Greece-Egypt maritime agreement towards Cyprus could strengthen coordination between Athens, Cairo and Nicosia as they seek to protect their respective maritime interests.
The eastern Mediterranean has become an increasingly contested region, with overlapping maritime claims linked to energy exploration, offshore resources and strategic influence.
Greece and Egypt signed their partial EEZ delimitation agreement in August 2020, establishing a framework for cooperation on maritime rights and offshore energy activities.
Any further agreement would require negotiations over the precise boundaries and the maritime rights involved.
The latest discussions underscore Greece’s efforts to deepen regional partnerships and reinforce its position that maritime disputes must be resolved in accordance with international law.
Source: Reuters
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