Greece and Egypt are gearing up to negotiate an expansion of their maritime boundary agreement in the Eastern Mediterranean, a move that could escalate tensions with Turkey and Libya over disputed maritime claims. Greek Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis and his Egyptian counterpart Badr Abdelatty have agreed in principle to initiate talks aimed at extending their exclusive economic zone (EEZ) eastward, beyond the 28th meridian that currently defines their maritime boundary.
The discussions come in response to Libya’s recent ratification of a maritime memorandum with Turkey, which Athens and Cairo oppose. They argue that the agreement between Turkey and Libya fails to adequately consider the role of islands in determining maritime boundaries, a principle they uphold. The existing Greece-Egypt maritime agreement, signed in August 2020, established an EEZ between the 26th and 28th meridians, and the proposed extension would involve waters east of this line.
Athens has expressed its intention to bring the implications of the Turkish-Libyan agreement to the attention of the European Union and the United Nations, seeking a coordinated international response. Meanwhile, Turkey has stood by its memorandum with Libya, asserting that external assessments cannot invalidate their agreement.
Technical discussions between Greece and Egypt are expected to commence soon, as both nations aim to advance negotiations on the potential boundary extension. This development underscores ongoing disputes over maritime jurisdiction and influence in the Eastern Mediterranean, a region already fraught with geopolitical tensions.
The Greek-Egyptian initiative highlights the complexities of regional diplomacy amid overlapping claims and differing interpretations of maritime law. As negotiations unfold, the outcome could significantly impact the balance of power and resource rights in the Eastern Mediterranean.