Greece’s letter has been published at the UN, delivering a clear message that the Turkey-Libya memorandum ignores the maritime rights of Greek islands. This letter responds to Libya’s corresponding communication that unilaterally defined the external boundaries of Libya’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), overlapping with a large portion of Greece’s EEZ based on the Turkey-Libya memorandum.
Greece’s letter to the UN: Turkey-Libya memorandum ignores maritime rights of Greek islands
Specifically, the letter dated September 3 responds to Libya’s May 27 letter and provides detailed positions on all issues raised by Libya. First and foremost, the Turkey-Libya memorandum is illegal as it ignores the existence and rights of Greek islands, as characteristically stated in the letter. Just days after announcing American company Chevron’s interest in energy blocks south of Crete, Athens reiterates that the delineation of these specific blocks – as well as Greece’s overall maritime spatial planning – complies with the Law of the Sea.
Greece rejects the claim that the median line should be drawn based on the continental coasts of the two countries. It should be noted that this is essentially the position Turkey attempts to impose in the Aegean and Eastern Mediterranean, thereby effectively ignoring the sovereign rights of Greek islands. Finally, Athens highlights the legitimacy of the Greek-Cypriot Exclusive Economic Zone agreement, which was signed in August 2020.
View Athens’ response to Libya’s claims HERE:
