Greece’s Energy Minister has responded sharply to Turkish criticism of Athens’ offshore exploration agreement with Chevron, insisting that the deal complies fully with international law and does not recognise the maritime memorandum signed between Turkey and Libya, according to TOVIMA newspaper.
In a radio interview on Thursday, Stavros Papastavrou said the European Union and key international partners reject the legal basis of the 2019 Türkiye-Libya maritime agreement. He stressed that Greece is exercising its sovereign rights in accordance with the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea.
Papastavrou referred to conclusions adopted by the European Council, which state that the Turkey-Libya memorandum violates the sovereign rights of third states and cannot produce legal consequences for other countries. According to the minister, this EU position carries significant political and legal weight.
The remarks come amid growing regional tension following Greece’s signing of offshore exploration contracts with Chevron and Helleniq Energy for areas south of Crete and around the Peloponnese. Ankara has argued that the agreement overlaps with maritime zones claimed under its 2019 accord with Libya.
For Libya, the dispute revives debate over the long-term implications of the Turkey-Libya maritime memorandum, which Tripoli considers a strategic agreement safeguarding Libya’s rights in the Eastern Mediterranean. Greece, however, maintains that the memorandum disregards the presence of Greek islands and contravenes international maritime law.
Papastavrou framed the Chevron agreement as part of a broader strategy to strengthen Greece’s position as an energy hub in south-eastern Europe. He also highlighted deepening ties with the United States, suggesting that expanded cooperation in energy, trade and investment reinforces Greece’s regional standing.
The escalating rhetoric underscores how Libya remains central to Mediterranean energy geopolitics. As competing maritime claims continue to shape exploration efforts, Libya’s offshore energy prospects and sovereign rights remain at the heart of a complex regional dispute with significant economic and diplomatic consequences.