Greece characterizes as expected the Verbal Note issued by Egypt regarding the Maritime Spatial Planning that Greece published and mapped for the first time on April 16.
As stated by Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lana Zochios, responding to a relevant question: “this is an expected reaction from a neighboring state, through usual diplomatic correspondence, with which maritime zone delimitation is pending, such as Egypt. This is explicitly stated on the map, namely that in sections where no bilateral delimitation has taken place, potential boundaries are indicated according to the median line.”
Indeed, Greek Foreign Minister Giorgos Gerapetritis raised this issue with his Egyptian counterpart during their meeting today (6/8).
“The latter confirmed, as explicitly stated in the Communication, that Egypt’s will is for these matters to be the subject of cooperation and consultation within the framework of the exceptional relations between the two countries and with the aim of further strengthening them,” she added.
Athens’ response to Egypt’s verbal note
“The Verbal Note of the Arab Republic of Egypt dated July 8, 2025, which was leaked today during the visit of the Egyptian Foreign Minister to Athens, refers to the Maritime Spatial Planning that Greece published and mapped for the first time on April 16, 2025.
This is an expected reaction from a neighboring state, through usual diplomatic correspondence, with which maritime zone delimitation is pending, such as Egypt.
This is explicitly stated on the map, namely that in sections where no bilateral delimitation has taken place, potential boundaries are indicated according to the median line. This was also mentioned by the Greek Foreign Minister to his Egyptian counterpart during their meeting today.
The latter confirmed, as explicitly stated in the Communication, that Egypt’s will is for these matters to be the subject of cooperation and consultation within the framework of the exceptional relations between the two countries and with the aim of further strengthening them.
Both sides praised the EEZ delimitation agreement, which was signed exactly 5 years ago, and reiterated their commitment to UNCLOS for their future cooperation.”
It should be recalled that according to ANT1, the document states that certain areas of the Greek planning overlap with the Egyptian EEZ and continental shelf, while the Egyptian Foreign Ministry expresses its strong objection and considers unacceptable the consequences that may arise from the Greek decision.
Egypt’s verbal note
In detail, the full verbal note from Egypt:
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Arab Republic of Egypt (Office of the Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs for International Legal Affairs and Treaties) presents its reservations to the Embassy of the Hellenic Republic in Cairo regarding the decision of the Ministry of Environment and Energy of Greece issued on April 17, 2025, concerning the ‘Greek Maritime Spatial Planning’ in the Mediterranean. The Egyptian Foreign Ministry would like to highlight the following:
Certain areas defined in the ‘Greek Maritime Spatial Planning’ (the external boundaries of spatial unit NO. 2 and spatial unit NO. 3) and shown on the map attached to the Greek Decision, overlap with the scope of the EEZ and continental shelf of the Arab Republic of Egypt in the Mediterranean Sea.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (of Egypt) confirms its objection to the aforementioned intervention and emphasizes that any consequences or implications that may arise from the Greek decision are unacceptable.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs wishes to confirm its openness and commitment to cooperation and consultation with the Greek side on this matter, in order to maintain common interests and strengthen the distinguished relations between the two countries.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Arab Republic of Egypt takes this opportunity to express to the Embassy of the Hellenic Republic its appreciation and respect.
TO THE EMBASSY OF THE HELLENIC REPUBLIC IN CAIRO
