Greek PM: Greece will take Turkey to The Hague if talks fail

·

Greece’s Prime Minister said in remarks published on Sunday that if Athens and Ankara cannot solve their dispute about maritime zones in the Mediterranean they should turn to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague to settle the disagreement.

Turkey signed an accord with Libya’s internationally-recognised government last month that seeks to create an exclusive economic zone from Turkey’s southern Mediterranean shore to Libya’s northeast coast.

Greece and Cyprus, which have long had maritime and territorial disputes with Turkey, say the accord is void and violates the international law of the sea. They see it as a resource-grab designed to scupper the development of East Mediterranean gas and destabilise rivals.

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, in an interview with weekly newspaper To Vima, said his intention is for Greece and Turkey to discuss their differences about maritime zones in the Aegean and the eastern Mediterranean on a political and diplomatic level.

Turkey’s Erdogan makes surprise visit to Tunisia to discuss Libya

“But we should say clearly that if we can’t find a solution then we should agree that the one difference that Greece recognises [over maritime zones] must be judged in an international body like the International Court of Justice in Hague.”

Earlier in December, Cyprus petitioned the ICJ to safeguard its offshore mineral rights. There has been no response so far from Turkey to that initiative.

Turkey maintains that several islands and islets near its coasts that are claimed by Greece under long-standing post-war treaties are actually “grey zones”. 

“No one should try to blockade us, to trap us in our own coasts or trample on our economic rights,” Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said last week.

Greece ‘wants a say’ in Libya talks

Mitsotakis told the Greek publication that Athens also wishes to take part in the United Nations-sponsored talks on the Libyan talks scheduled to take place in the German capital Berlin in January.

“We do not want a source of instability in our neighbourhood. Therefore we want a say in developments in Libya,” Mitsotakis said.

“We want to be part of the solution in Libya, as it concerns us too … [Libya] is our natural maritime neighbour, not Turkey,” he said.

Since the overthrow of late leader Muammar Gaddafi in 2011, two seats of power have emerged in Libya: One in eastern Libya supported mainly by Egypt and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and the Government of National Accord (GNA) in Tripoli, which enjoys international recognition.

The eastern administration is supported by renegade military commander Khalifa Haftar’s self-styled Libyan National Army (LNA), which launched an offensive on Tripoli in early April. The LNA fighters have failed to reach the centre of the city but have made small gains in recent weeks in some southern suburbs of the capital.

Erdogan on Thursday announced that he would present a bill to the Turkish parliament in early January to seek consent to dispatch troops in support of GNA-aligned forces, in line with a security agreement signed last month with Libyan Prime Minister Fayez al-Sarraj. 

Sourced via Reuters.

Advertisement

Share:

KEEP UP TO DATE WITH TGH

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

Advertisement

Latest News

Evzones inspire students during memorable visit to St Spyridon College

Staff and students of St Spyridon College gathered at St Spyridon Church in Sydney on Tuesday, April 29 to warmly welcome the Evzones.

Lemnos Remembrance Trail website officially launched to preserve ANZAC stories

The Australian Government Department of Veterans' Affairs (DVA) has officially launched the Lemnos Remembrance Trail website.

Bringing the magic of Greek cinema to life: An interview with Dioni Vertzayas

Dioni Vertzayas is set to mesmerise audiences in 'Songstresses of the Golden Age of Greek Cinema,' a concert in Sydney.

Greek Australian Writers’ Festival 2025: A celebration of storytelling, legacy and community

“Keep going,” was the sentiment George Kouvaros left audiences with as he wrapped up the panel at the Greek Australian Writers’ Festival.

Oakleigh Grammar students inspired by Round Square Footprints of Unity Conference

Oakleigh Grammar students have returned from the Round Square Footprints of Unity Conference in Perth with lasting memories.

You May Also Like

Zeibekiko master Christos Shakallis: ‘I will show my soul on stage in Australia’

Christos Shakallis is expected to captivate the audience of Australia with his figures and his knowledge of this famous Zeibekiko dance.

New Cultural Centre set to revive iconic 20th century success of Castellorizian Association of NSW

“It’s all about preserving what we have now, but most importantly about bringing back what we had,” Pazanis says to The Greek Herald.

Betty Alexandropoulou on trade and double taxation agreement between Australia and Greece

Betty Alexandropoulou from Enterprise Greece discussed the issue of trade during the 'Greek Australian Dialogue Series' on Monday afternoon.