Greece and Egypt are engaged in discussions to extend their Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) eastward, nearing Cyprus, following the recent ratification of a contentious maritime agreement between eastern Libya and Turkey. The move signifies a strategic response to geopolitical developments in the eastern Mediterranean.
This potential extension is framed by Greece as fully compliant with international law and the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). Greek Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis articulated this position on the social media platform X, underscoring the legal basis for their proposed actions.
Gerapetritis, alongside his Egyptian counterpart Badr Abdelatty, reiterated their firm opposition to the eastern Libyan parliament's ratification of the 2019 maritime memorandum of understanding between Turkey and Libya. Both ministers emphasized their enduring commitment to upholding international law and the principles enshrined in UNCLOS, which governs maritime boundaries and rights.
Greece and Egypt established their current EEZ delimitation in the eastern Mediterranean through an agreement signed in 2020. This existing accord serves as a foundation for their current deliberations regarding further eastward expansion.
