Greek PM Condemns Turkey-Libya Maritime Deal, Calls for Black Sea Truce

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has condemned the maritime agreement between Turkey and Libya’s eastern parliament, calling it illegal and without legal validity. The deal has renewed tensions between Athens and Ankara over maritime boundaries in the eastern Mediterranean. Greece argues that it ignores the maritime rights and geographical position of Greek islands. However, Turkey continues to defend the agreement, leaving the dispute unresolved.

Mitsotakis has also urged the international community to support a maritime truce following drone attacks on commercial vessels in the Black Sea. The attacks have raised concerns about shipping safety amid the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war.

Mitsotakis Says Turkey-Libya Agreement Ignores Greek Islands

Libya’s eastern parliament has approved a maritime boundaries agreement with Turkey, drawing criticism from Greece, Egypt, Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates. Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis argues that the deal overlooks the geographical position of Greek islands and undermines Greece’s maritime rights in the eastern Mediterranean. He also maintains that the agreement conflicts with the principles of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). The dispute stems from a 2019 maritime agreement between Ankara and Libya, which Greece has consistently challenged. However, Turkey continues to defend the arrangement, while President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has rejected European Union criticism, arguing that objections to the deal have no legitimate basis.

Meanwhile, Greece has moved forward with its own energy exploration plans in the eastern Mediterranean. Athens has granted a consortium led by US energy company Chevron a license to explore for natural gas off the coast of Crete. In addition, Greece has pursued separate negotiations with Libya to establish maritime boundaries through direct talks. Mitsotakis has said that Greece’s planned exploration activities face no risk of legal challenge. He has also urged Libya to engage in negotiations with Athens, describing the two countries as natural neighbors. These competing maritime claims and energy interests continue to shape relations between Greece, Turkey and Libya.

Greek PM Seeks Black Sea Shipping Truce After Vessel Sinking

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has called for an international maritime truce after naval drones struck and sank a Greek-owned container ship off Bulgaria in the western Black Sea. The attack has raised concerns about commercial shipping security, although authorities had not identified those responsible. Mitsotakis said Greek shipowners were ready to resume trade through the Black Sea, including Ukrainian routes, but stressed the need for guaranteed safe passage. He also warned that rising chartering and insurance costs threatened shipping operations and urged the restoration of Ukrainian grain exports.

Beyond the Black Sea, Mitsotakis has urged the European Union to strengthen its Aspides naval mission in the Red Sea, launched in 2024 to protect commercial vessels from Houthi attacks. Greece, Italy and France have already deployed naval assets, but he wants more European countries to contribute. He also reaffirmed Greece’s support for sanctions against Russia while Moscow continues its war against Ukraine. Ultimately, Greece’s push for stronger international cooperation highlights the urgent need to protect vital maritime routes, prevent further escalation and safeguard global trade amid growing regional tensions.

Web Resources On Greek PM Rejects Turkey-Libya Deal

1. Reuters : Greek PM calls Turkey-Libya maritime deal ‘void;’ calls for global truce after Black Sea attacks.
2. The Straits Times : Greek PM calls for global maritime truce after ship sunk in Black Sea drone attack.
3. AP News : Libya approves contentious Turkey deal over Mediterranean waters.
4. Euro News : Turkey-Libya maritime boundaries deal ‘remains null and void,’ Greek foreign minister says.