Turkey says Greece-Egypt maritime border deal 'null and void'

Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu in Malta (Photo: AA)

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The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has criticized an agreement between Greece and Egypt on exclusive economic zones (EEZ) in the Eastern Mediterranean.

The deal between the two countries, which have no mutual sea border, was "null and void" for Turkey, it said in a statement today (August 6).

In November 2019, Ankara signed a maritime border deal with the Tripoli-based Government of National Accord (GNA) in Libya.

The demarcated area is located on Turkey's continental shelf, as reported to the UN, the ministry added.

It also noted that Egypt had already abandoned 11,500 square kilometers (3,350 square nautical miles) of its continental shelf with a previous agreement it signed with Southern Cyprus in 2003.

Egypt is again "losing its maritime jurisdiction with the latest so-called treaty, which seeks to usurp Libya's rights as well," it said.

Turkey will not allow any activity in these areas and will continue to resolutely defend its legitimate rights and interests in the Eastern Mediterranean, as well as those of Northern Cyprus, said the ministry.

Minister will visit Libya

Minister of Foreign Affairs Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu is set to leave Malta for Libya, the ministry said in a separate statement today.

He will visit the country with his counterpart from Malta, Evarist Bartolo, it said.

"During the visit, issues on the joint agenda of the three countries will be discussed," the statement added.

Libya in North Africa and the Mediterranean island of Malta are separated by only about 357 kilometers (222 miles).

Çavuşoğlu paid a working visit to Malta yesterday, addressing "bilateral relations and as well as regional and international issues."

Before leaving for Libya, on Thursday Çavuşoğlu will also meet EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell in Malta and discuss Turkey-EU relations. (VK)