Greece, Egypt discuss extending maritime zone towards Cyprus
by@Reuters
Summary
Greece and Egypt are in discussions to expand their Exclusive Economic Zone eastward towards Cyprus, following the recent ratification of a contentious maritime agreement between eastern Libya and Turkey. Greek Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis confirmed their stance against this agreement, asserting that any changes to the Greece-Egypt maritime arrangement would adhere to international law and the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). This dialogue comes on the heels of a 2020 agreement between Greece and Egypt that delineated their maritime boundaries in the eastern Mediterranean.
Analysis
Egypt: Egypt is a North African nation with strategic interests in Mediterranean maritime boundaries and regional diplomacy. It engages in agreements to secure its exclusive economic rights while opposing accords it views as infringing on those claims. Egyptian officials are actively discussing an eastward extension of the Greece-Egypt maritime zone following recent regional parliamentary actions. Greece: Greece is a southeastern European country and EU member state with active foreign policy focused on regional stability and maritime rights in the eastern Mediterranean. It participates in bilateral and multilateral efforts to delineate maritime boundaries under international frameworks. In the reported development, Greece is leading talks with Egypt to extend their existing Exclusive Economic Zone agreement eastward toward Cyprus. Badr Abdelatty: Badr Abdelatty serves as the Foreign Minister of Egypt, managing the nation's foreign relations and boundary negotiations. He coordinates with regional partners on maritime and legal matters in the Mediterranean. Abdelatty joined statements reaffirming opposition to the eastern Libya ratification of the Turkey-Libya maritime memorandum. George Gerapetritis: George Gerapetritis is the Foreign Minister of Greece responsible for directing the country's diplomatic strategy and international legal positions. He articulates Greece's stance on maritime issues in the eastern Mediterranean. Gerapetritis publicly confirmed that extensions of the Greece-Egypt agreement align fully with UNCLOS and international law. Legal Alignment: The parties emphasize that any maritime zone extension must fully comply with the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. Maritime Negotiations: Greece and Egypt are actively discussing an eastward extension of their Exclusive Economic Zone agreement in the eastern Mediterranean.
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macropolitics