Greece questions legitimacy of Turkey-Libya preliminary maritime energy deal

·

Greece’s Foreign Minister, Nikos Dendias, has questioned the legitimacy of the recent memorandum of understanding (MOU) signed between Turkey and Libya’s government of national unity.

According to Ekathimerini, Libya’s Tripoli government signed a series of preliminary economic agreements with Turkey on Monday that included potential energy exploration in maritime areas.

Libya’s eastern-based parliament rejected the move.

It was not immediately clear whether any concrete deals to emerge would include exploration in the “exclusive economic zone” which Turkey and a previous Tripoli government agreed in 2019, angering other eastern Mediterranean states.

That zone envisaged the two countries sharing a maritime border but was attacked by Greece and Cyprus and criticised by Egypt and Israel.

Now, in a statement released on Monday night, the Greek Foreign Affairs Ministry noted that it is following recent developments in Libya “very closely.”

Greece, the ministry said, “holds sovereign rights in the area, which it intends to defend by all legal means, in full respect to the International Law of the Sea.”

“Any action or reference in implementation of said ‘memorandum’ will be de facto illegal, and -depending on its gravity – will carry a reaction both at the bilateral level and at the level of the European Union and NATO,” the ministry added.

Dendias also brought up Greece’s concerns with his Egyptian counterpart, Sameh Shoukry, during a telephone conversation on Monday.

READ MORE: Turkey and Libya recommit to contested maritime borders deal, angering Greece.

Source: AMNA.gr and Ekathimerini.

Advertisement

Share:

KEEP UP TO DATE WITH TGH

By subscribing you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

Advertisement

Latest News

From crisis to compassion: Timos Roussos and his family’s mercy mission in war-torn Cyprus

When Turkish troops landed on Cyprus on 20 July 1974, six-year-old Timos Roussos was sitting on the floor of his family’s home in Lemesos.

A granddaughter returns: Georgia Georgiou retraces her yiayia’s occupied village in Cyprus

When Georgia Georgiou handed over her Cypriot ID at the border checkpoint to cross into occupied northern Cyprus, she felt an ache.

‘You never get over it’: A childhood shattered by the Turkish invasion of Cyprus

On a warm July morning in 1974, 10-year-old Anastasia Di Loreto (née Karatzia) was jolted awake by the sound of bombs falling on Kyrenia.

Cyprus: The paradox of tolerance and impunity for Turkey

The lack of a unified, systematic and practical strategy on the part of Greece has led the Cyprus crisis into national disarray.

Lost homes and lingering hope: Greek-Cypriots reflect on Turkish invasion and its aftermath

From hidden stories to haunting memories, two Greek-Cypriot men share what it means to carry the burden of Cyprus’ past.

You May Also Like

Scott Morrison announces ministerial reshuffle, promotes Alex Hawke MP

Prime Minister, Scott Morrison, has promoted key ally, Alex Hawke MP, in a broad ministerial reshuffle today.

“I don’t feel guilty”: Liberal Councillor Julie Passas on voting for a pay rise

Liberal Councillor Julie Passas is one of the Inner West Council (IWC) councillors who voted for a 2 per cent rise to their annual salaries.

Greek Community of Melbourne’s weekly seminar series returns to the Greek Centre

The Greek Community of Melbourne's weekly seminar series is returning to the Greek Centre this year with great things on offer.