Gerapetritis: “The illegal Turkish–Libyan memorandum will not be implemented” – Greece will extend its territorial waters “when it chooses”

Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis stated categorically that the illegal Turkish–Libyan memorandum “will not be implemented”, speaking on Wednesday, October 21, to Mega News 104.6 and journalist Pavlos Tsimas. The interview was published on the Foreign Ministry’s website.

“There is absolutely no consequence as regards the implementation of the memorandum. This memorandum will not be implemented for the simple reason that it produces no legal effects, as it is absolutely contrary to international law. Greece will mobilise its own mechanisms so that this memorandum is also denounced,” Gerapetritis said. He called the text null and void and announced a series of contacts with partners and allies.

The minister stressed that Greek diplomacy is moving in coordination with its allies and is ready to use every sovereign and legal tool, including the extension of territorial waters. “Greece does not react in a knee-jerk way; Greece reacts according to a plan and above all to serve the national interest. Greece will extend its territorial waters. It is its right, deriving from its sovereignty and international law, but it will do so in the manner and at the time it chooses,” he added.

Government spokesman Pavlos Marinakis tied the issue to Athens’ position toward Ankara in Europe. “Any funding passes through Greece. Just as Turkey’s road to Europe passes through Greece,” he said, citing the SAFE programme as an example and adding that foreign policy “should be conducted neither with bluster nor with showy words nor with ideological obsessions”.

The statements follow the ratification of the memorandum by the House of Representatives of eastern Libya and the reactions of the European Union, of European Parliament President Roberta Metsola and of Israel. Gerapetritis had already called his Cypriot and Egyptian counterparts, Constantinos Kombos and Badr Abdelatty, about the risks that Benghazi’s move creates for security and stability in the Eastern Mediterranean. The Foreign Ministry also posted excerpts of the interview on X.