How could the rejection of the Türkiye-Libya maritime deal affect Greece?
The dispute threatens Greece's key energy link and increases naval risk The rejection of the maritime borders agreement by Egypt and the European Union reinforces the dispute over maritime territory in the Eastern Mediterranean. Greece maintains that the deal ignores its islands, including Crete, Rhodes, and Karpathos, thereby infringing on its sovereign rights. This ongoing dispute is cited as the reason for the delay of the crucial Great Sea Interconnector, a planned subsea power cable estimated to cost about $2.1bn. Furthermore, the reports indicate that the risk of naval incidents between Türkiye and Libya, should they act on the deal at sea, is very high.
- Effect
- Strong negative
- How direct
- Stated in the reporting
- When
- Over the long term
- The story
- Gone quiet
How it reaches Greece
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Egypt and the European Union rejected a maritime border agreement between Türkiye and Libya, calling the deal “null and void”. The memorandum of understanding, which draws a sea border in the Eastern Mediterranean, was signed in 2019 by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Fayez al-Sarraj. The Tobruk-based House of Representatives in Libya approved the agreement, reversing a 2020 rejection.
The full event1independent outlet -
The rejection of the memorandum of understanding by Egypt and the European Union strengthens the position of Greece, which stated that the deal ignores its islands, including Crete, Rhodes, and Karpathos, and infringes on its maritime territory. The dispute over waters off Crete, which Greece claims, is cited as the reason for the delay of the Great Sea Interconnector, a planned subsea power cable intended to link Greece’s grid to Cyprus and later Israel. The reports note that the risk of naval incidents if Türkiye or Libya act on the deal at sea is very high, a risk highlighted by past events, such as the 2020 deployment of the survey vessel Oruc Reis in waters Greece claims.
1 report connects these two. Brind only summarizes; follow a link to read the reporting itself.
- aljazeera.com Oct 22
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country in Southeast Europe
Everything about Greece
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The facts so far
As reported. Each one links to where it comes from.
- Greece stated the maritime agreement ignores its islands, including Crete, Rhodes and Karpathos.aljazeera.com
- The Great Sea Interconnector project is estimated to cost about $2.1bn.aljazeera.com
- The dispute over waters off Crete has delayed the Great Sea Interconnector.aljazeera.com
- The risk of naval incidents if Türkiye or Libya act on the deal at sea was described as “very high”.aljazeera.com
- In August 2020, Ankara sent the survey vessel Oruc Reis to explore for oil and gas in waters Greece claims.aljazeera.com
Why it matters
The stakes for Greece are high, as the Great Sea Interconnector represents a crucial strategic and economic link for its energy grid, connecting it to Cyprus and Israel. The delay and threat to this $2.1bn project directly impacts Greece's energy security and regional infrastructure ambitions.
This dispute is part of a broader pattern of maritime tension in the Eastern Mediterranean, where Türkiye has historically sought to claim gas-rich areas. The reports show that this tension has led to past near-military confrontations, such as the 2020 incident involving the Oruc Reis, placing Greece in a difficult position between its territorial claims and the risk of regional conflict.
What we don't know yet
- Will the EU naval mission become involved in enforcing the UN arms embargo on Libya?
- Will the dispute over waters off Crete lead to further diplomatic or military escalation?
What would change this answer
Who else could feel it
Other possible ripples from the same event.
Reporting
- aljazeera.comOct 22
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