For violating the principles of the United Nations by signing a memorandum of cooperation and for attempting Turkey to take advantage of the situation in Libya, Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias said in statements after meeting with his Egyptian counterpart Sameh Shukri in Cairo.

At the center of the talks were the longstanding strategic relationship between Greece and Egypt, the Eastern Mediterranean and Libya, with the latter topic predominating.

“Turkey, by blackmailing and putting pressure on Libyan actors, tried to create a legal monster with the 2019 “memorandum,” Mr. Dendias emphasized, while stressing that Greece is obliged to protect its sovereign rights by all available legal means.

Cairo | Foreign Secretary @NikosDendias met today with the Egyptian S. Shoukry. Talks Spotlight: 🇬🇷-🇪🇬 Eternal Strategic Relations, Mediterranean, Libya https://t.co/A3hrIZO47B

— Ministry of Foreign Affairs (@GreeceMFA) October 9, 2022

“Three years later, Turkey seeks once again to take advantage of the turbulent situation in Libya to further destabilize security in the Mediterranean region and establish regional hegemony,” Mr. Dendias emphasized and expressed satisfaction that the signing of the Memorandum held last Monday was clearly condemned EU, USA, Germany, Egypt, France, Italy and many other countries.

He also noted that the overwhelming reaction of the Libyan political forces to this memorandum “clearly shows that the only consequence of this act is the further destabilization of the country.”

“No government can give Turkey research rights in areas where it does not enjoy sovereign rights,” he said.

“Our duty is to protect our sovereign rights”

As he mentioned, Greece and Egypt signed two years ago in Cairo an agreement delimiting the EEZ between Greece and Egypt based on international law and international maritime law, which creates exclusive sovereign rights for Greece as well as Egypt. .

“Greece intends and is obliged to protect these rights by all available legal means,” he emphasized characteristically. “We don’t claim anything that doesn’t belong to us. We fully comply with the principles of international law. We do not take aggressive actions and do not undermine peace and stability.”

He recalled that the so-called 2019 memorandum was internationally condemned as illegal, invalid and non-existent because it clearly violates the fundamental principles of international maritime law. It was never ratified by the Libyan parliament. In fact, he added, he was condemned by the Libyan parliament.

“No one can build new data on the basis of illegal and dishonest actions. No one can ignore geography, no one can create a virtual world, a world in which islands stop appearing on the map,” he said.

“Turkey’s actions threaten the fragile balance in Libya”

The Foreign Minister stated that the precarious situation in Libya and the Eastern Mediterranean was the main topic of discussion with his Egyptian counterpart, with whom they agreed that “the common strategic goal is a stable, prosperous and peaceful Libya and a stable Eastern Mediterranean.”

He indicated that Greece supports the ongoing efforts that will pave the way for holding parliamentary and presidential elections, while recalling that it has taken various measures to support the Libyan people.

Extensive talks between 🇪🇬 and 🇬🇷, now chaired by the foreign ministers of both countries, covered all aspects of bilateral relations and ways to strengthen them, as well as the exchange of assessments and coordination on regional and international issues of mutual interest.
@GreeceMFA pic.twitter.com/1bXsB352BP

– Spokesperson for the Egyptian Foreign Ministry (@MfaEgypt) October 9, 2022

Last year, she reopened an embassy in Tripoli, while providing tangible support, including the restoration of the port of Benghazi, funding humanitarian projects in Tripoli.

“However, we are particularly concerned about actions that threaten to destabilize the fragile internal balance, and possibly the region as well,” he said, noting that the recent signing with Turkey is such a case, as it violates the founding principle of the Libyan Political Forum-Dialogue under the auspices of UN.

In particular, it provides that the Government of National Unity cannot conclude any international agreements that damage the stability of the Libyan state’s foreign relations.

In addition, he stressed, “the term of office of the Tripoli government has long expired, so it does not represent the Libyan people. This government does not have the authority to revise or implement previous agreements regarding the future of Libya’s foreign relations.”

Relations between Greece and Egypt

Mr Dendias said Greece and Egypt share a common goal to “help Libya become a functioning state and also make the Mediterranean a peaceful and stable sea.” A sea of ​​prosperity where people can cooperate with each other, as the Greeks and Egyptians did for thousands of years.”

“Our friendship with Egypt is not just a strategic partnership. This is something much more,” he noted and indicated that Greece will do everything in its power to support Egypt on a bilateral basis, as well as within the EU, deeply recognizing that it can count on the support of Egypt, both in a bilateral context , as well as in the League of Arab States and other international forums.

“Greece and Egypt are a bridge between Europe and the Arab world, and also a bridge between Europe and Africa. A bridge across muddy waters and muddy lands,” he concluded.

“We discussed ways of cooperation between the countries of Egypt, Greece and Cyprus,” said Mr. Sukri, noting that they discussed regional problems and ways to solve common problems. They also discussed the energy exchange between the two countries.

With information from APE-MPE