On Monday, Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias discussed the latest developments in the Libyan crisis with his Maltese counterpart, Evarist Bartolo.
In a phone call, the two Ministers discussed a number of regional issues. These included the situation in Libya, illegal migration, as well as methods to combat the COVID-19 pandemic.
Turkey has announced plans to drill for hydrocarbon reserves off the southeast of the Greek island of Crete, despite infringing international maritime law.
The area Turkey intends to enter has been claimed by Greece as part of its exclusive economic zone (EEZ).
Dendias has previously warned Turkey against sending drilling ships to explore for natural gas off the coast of Rhodes, Karpathos and Crete.
According to reports, Turkey is waiting for the United Nations’ Division for Ocean Affairs to post the geographical coordinates of a maritime border agreement signed by the Turkish government and Libya’s Government of National Accord (GNA) in November.
The agreement sees Turkey and Libya as maritime neighbours, claiming a Turkish EEZ that overlaps areas around Crete, Rhodes, and other Greek islands.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan stated that Ankara would “start search and drilling activities as soon as possible in 2020, after issuing licenses for the areas”.
