The Greek parliament on Thursday ratified a deal that delineates maritime boundaries between Egypt and Greece. The vote on the agreement came just a few hours after Turkey announced its plan to conduct live-fire drills in the eastern Mediterranean next week, amid its escalating standoff with Greece over maritime exploration rights in the disputed waters.
The agreement, which was signed earlier this month, has already been ratified by Egypt. It creates an exclusive economic zone (EEZ)—which can extend up to 200 nautical miles—in the waters that contain oil and gas reserves. Turkey, however, says that it infringes on its continental shelf. The deal is also seen as a response to an accord between Libya and Turkey, which allows the latter to access areas in the region where hydrocarbon deposits have been discovered. The Turkish-Libyan agreement has been objected to by the European Union (EU) as well as the United States (US).
The feud escalated earlier this month when Turkey announced that its seismic vessel Oruç Reis would be conducting exploratory drilling in the contested area, which immediately drew condemnation from Athens. Turkey has also extended the mission of Oruç Reis to first August 27 and most recently September 1. Additionally, on Thursday, the Turkish navy issued the latest advisory, saying it will hold “gunnery exercises” in the Eastern Mediterranean off the coast of Iskenderun, northeast of Cyprus on September 1 and 2, further irking Greece, which insists that the Turkish actions are illegal.
Al Jazeera reported Greek government spokesman Stelios Petsas as saying that the ratification of the agreement with Egypt was “urgent”, given “Turkey's illegal activities” in the region.
The dispute in the eastern Mediterranean is also quickly becoming militarized, as countries side with Greece to curb Turkish aggression. France sent ships and planes to the region last week, and Cyprus and Italy are also engaged in military exercises off the Cypriot coast. Turkish authorities have condemned France’s actions, saying that it was encouraging Greece and Cyprus to escalate tensions in the area.
Greece also said on Wednesday that it plans to extend its territorial waters in the Ionian Sea to 12 nautical miles (22km) from its coast, from six nautical miles, after the ratification of a maritime deal with Italy.
Germany, which is taking the lead in mediating the issue, has urged both sides to engage in dialogue and refrain from military escalation, which would risk a clash among NATO allies. German Foreign Minister warned against such actions, saying: “Fire is being played with and any small spark could lead to catastrophe”. Though both Greece and Turkey have agreed to engage in exploratory talks, the agenda for these remains disputed. Greece wants to limit talks to delineating the continental shelf and consequent energy rights in the eastern Mediterranean, while Turkey insists that it will do so only without any preconditions.
EU defense and foreign ministers are expected to discuss the issue this week in Berlin.
Greece Ratifies Maritime Accord with Egypt, Turkey Plans New Naval Drills
Turkey says the deal infringes on its continental shelf.
August 28, 2020
SOURCE: CNN