Greek Minister of National Defense Nikos Dendias reiterated his criticisms of the maritime jurisdiction memorandum signed between Turkey and Libya in an interview with the national press. Arguing that the agreement violates International Law of the Sea, Dendias described the memorandum as "illegal, null and void."
In response to a question regarding the "Blue Homeland" bill, Dendias claimed that Turkey is expanding the scope of its territorial claims through the memorandum signed with Libya and the Blue Homeland approach. He asserted that a country cannot create a new reality that contradicts International Law of the Sea through its own domestic legal regulations.
It is impossible for Greece to accept the fragmentation of its national sovereignty and the abandonment of its sovereign rights.
The Greek Defense Minister argued that this approach attempts to portray Greek islands and maritime jurisdiction areas as subjects of Turkey's territorial claims. Dendias also stated that Athens has implemented the "Agenda 2030" reform to ensure the country can cope with all kinds of challenges.
Dendias claimed that the ratification of the Turkey-Libya Memorandum of Understanding would not grant the document legal legitimacy. Asserting that the memorandum is incompatible with the geographical and legal reality of the Mediterranean, Dendias noted that the potential effects of Ankara's influence in the Benghazi region on Eastern Mediterranean security and migration flows must also be taken into account.
Dendias further described the Exclusive Economic Zone delimitation agreement signed with Egypt during his tenure as Foreign Minister as "an example of the practical application of the Law of the Sea," arguing that this agreement is a significant achievement for Greece and the Eastern Mediterranean.
News Source: 12punto
