By Bosphorus News Geopolitics Desk
"Maritime zones are not up for auction. They are an area where international law must be enforced," Greek Foreign Minister Giorgos Gerapetritis told public broadcaster ERT in New York on October 28. His remarks followed Türkiye's renewed offer of maritime boundary talks with Egypt and a meeting with United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres.
ERT journalist Nikos Meletis had asked about reports alleging that Ankara was trying to "buy off" Egypt. Gerapetritis did not endorse the allegation. He pointed instead to Cairo's support for a recent joint declaration against the Türkiye–Libya maritime memorandum.
He described Greece's relationship with Egypt as strategic and "fraternal," recalling that Egypt's UN representative had stood beside him when the declaration was presented. Greece, he added, would not tolerate maritime actions it considered unlawful.
Athens and Ankara Hold Separate Talks With Cairo
Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty spoke separately with Gerapetritis and Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan on October 28. Cairo's account of the Fidan call covered regional de-escalation and consultations within the four-country R4 mechanism involving Türkiye, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan. The call with Gerapetritis covered bilateral relations, Eastern Mediterranean security and United Nations affairs.
Neither account announced a new maritime delimitation agreement. Türkiye's Defense Ministry reiterated its offer to Cairo the same day, estimating that Egypt could gain more than 15,000 square kilometres of maritime jurisdiction compared with a potential agreement with Greece. The estimate is Ankara's; Egypt has neither endorsed the figure nor accepted a proposed boundary. The ministry detailed the offer in its October 28 briefing.
Greece and Egypt signed a partial exclusive economic zone (EEZ) delimitation agreement in 2020. Discussions about extending it eastward have produced no further agreement.
Libya Vote and Joint UN Objection
Libya's House of Representatives voted on October 20 to approve the 2019 Türkiye–Libya maritime memorandum. On October 26, Gerapetritis presented a joint declaration challenging the agreement on behalf of Greece, Egypt, the Republic of Cyprus, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates and the European Union. He called the memorandum "null and void."
Ankara rejects that assessment and maintains that the memorandum accords with international law and equity. The United Nations Treaty Collection records its entry into force in December 2019, although registration does not determine its legal effects on third countries' maritime rights. Egypt had raised objections with Fidan during their October 23 meeting in Istanbul.
Greece argues that the maritime line disregards the entitlements of Greek islands, particularly Crete. Türkiye contests their extent and calls for delimitation on equitable terms.
Gerapetritis Calls for Substantive Cyprus Talks
Gerapetritis said he and Guterres discussed Ukraine, the Middle East and Africa, as well as Cyprus. He called for more formal negotiations on the substance of the Cyprus dispute. "The momentum built during António Guterres's tenure must not be lost," he told ERT, urging respect for UN Security Council resolutions as a basis for reunification.
Turkish Cypriot President Tufan Erhürman and Republic of Cyprus President Nikos Christodoulides met on October 27 without announcing an agreement on new Green Line crossings. UN envoy María Ángela Holguín was expected to return on October 29, ahead of a planned trilateral meeting on November 9.
Sources: Hellenic Republic Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Republic of Türkiye Ministry of National Defense, Libyan News Agency, United Nations Treaty Collection, United Nations Good Offices Mission in Cyprus, Reuters, Bosphorus News review and reporting.