Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias and his Egyptian counterpart Sameh Shoukry, who are based in Cairo, met in Cairo. In a joint press release, the ministers announced that Greece and Egypt have signed an exclusive economic zone (Münhasır Ekonomik Bölge/ MEB) agreement.
Minister Shoukry said the agreement would allow the two countries, particularly oil and gas reserves, to maximise existing resources in the exclusive economic zone. Greek Foreign Minister Dendias said the agreement was “within the framework of international law.”
“The agreement to limit the so-called maritime jurisdictions announced to be signed is non-existent for Turkey” statement came from Turkey.
*Bahçeşehir University Maritime and Global Strategy Centre (Bahçeşehir Üniversitesi Denizcilik ve Global Strateji Merkezi/ BAUDEGS) was also made a statement.
BAUDEGS: “It is clear that the treaty usurped Turkey's legal rights.
In order to show that this area belongs to us and to take ownership of our rights, it is necessary to send seismic research or drilling vessels to the region immediately. Moreover, most importantly, the MEB should be declared in the Eastern Mediterranean immediately in no time.”
Egypt and Greece argue that turkey's agreement to limit maritime jurisdictions signed with Libya is a violation of international law.
In June (2020), Greece signed a MEB agreement with Italy that shared sovereignty rights in the Ionian Sea.
*Turkish Navy’s retired Rear Admiral Cihat Yaycı became the head of Maritime and Global Strategy Centre. Yaycı attracted attention with its strategy to increase Turkey’s dominance in the sea, He is the architect of Exclusive Economic Zone agreement with Libya.
