Gerapetritis: talks begin on extending the agreement with Egypt; on the cable, “Turkey will find Greece opposite it”

Technical discussions with Cairo to extend the 2020 maritime delimitation agreement were announced by Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis, speaking on the morning of Wednesday, November 4, on the show “Kalimera Ellada” on ANT1. The minister appeared optimistic that the contacts will bring “results soon”. The announcement comes two weeks after Athens and Cairo agreed to continue consultations on extending the EEZ, in response to the Turkish-Libyan memorandum. For background, see our explainer on the 2020 Greece-Egypt agreement.

In the same interview the head of Greek diplomacy referred to the Greece-Cyprus electric cable, European sanctions against Turkey, territorial waters and the new picture in Washington after the midterm elections.

“No consequence whatsoever in practice” from the Turkish-Libyan memorandum

Responding to opposition criticism, Gerapetritis argued that the Turkey-Libya memorandum has changed nothing for Greece. “There has been no consequence whatsoever in practice,” he said, citing Libya’s cooperation with the US company Chevron, through which, he said, Libya applied Greek positions in practice. The memorandum, in his words, is “a contempt for the international law of the sea”, while he noted as important for Athens that the international community rallied against Turkish unlawfulness, as the six-party joint statement at the UN showed.

On the European Union’s sanctions against Ankara, the minister left the option open: “Sanctions will be activated at Greece’s request when the right moment comes.” He also referred to the extension of territorial waters: “It is in Greece’s quiver and will happen when the Greek state chooses.” For ideas on how that can be done step by step, see our opinion piece.

The cable awaits the committee’s opinion

On the Greece-Cyprus electric interconnection, Gerapetritis explained that the file is being assessed under the same procedure followed for any request for surveys and cables, and that the competent committee will give its opinion within the next few days. “Of course it will go ahead if the committee agrees, and there is absolutely no reason for it not to agree,” he stressed.

On possible Turkish obstruction he was clear: “It is very obvious that everyone bears the weight of their actions. If Turkey tries to obstruct, then it will find Greece opposite it.” He added that Athens has plans ready for any attempt to stop the project, that in his estimate the French company and the French state also have plans, and that Ankara would find itself facing the European Union too, since the project is co-financed by the EU. Asked what will happen if Turkish frigates appear as in 2024, he answered that he believes this “will not happen”, adding: “In any case, we have all scenarios ready.”

The US after the midterms

Commenting on the Democratic victory, the minister observed that Democrats prevailed even in traditionally Republican states, citing Texas and Kansas, and estimated that Americans voted on the economy and the war in Iran, insofar as it raised the cost of living. On Athens-Washington relations he was reassuring: “Greek-American relations transcend electoral cycles. Support for Greece is bipartisan, and the strategic depth will be maintained at all levels.” For the election results, see our report on the Democratic win in the Senate.

He also pointed to the Greek-American candidates, saying that “for the first time we will have a senator of Greek origin since 2013”. He was referring to the election of Democrat Chris Pappas to the Senate from New Hampshire.