On June 9, 2020, Greece and Italy signed an agreement demarcating their maritime boundaries, amid tension in the Mediterranean region over rights to natural resources. The agreement signed by Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias and Italian Minister of Foreign Affairs Luigi Di Maio demarcates the exclusive economic zone between Greece and Italy in the Ionian Sea. The landmark deal complies with the United Nations Convention of the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and has reportedly resolved maritime issues that have persisted for 40 years. In addition to addressing fishing rights, the agreement confirms a 1977 continental shelf agreement between the two countries and the right of islands to have maritime zones.
The deal comes at a critical time amid a standoff between Greece and Turkey over rights to natural gas exploration in the Mediterranean Sea. Turkey and Greece have quarreled over access to natural gas reserves near the island of Cyprus – a recurring point of contention between the two nations. In November 2019, Turkey signed a similar maritime boundary agreement with Libya’s internationally recognized Government of National Accord (GNA) providing Turkey access to extensive areas of the Mediterranean Sea, part of which Greece claims as its own maritime jurisdiction. Turkey has also been providing military support for the GNA in its conflict with renegade commander Khalifa Haftar and his Libyan National Army (LNA).
Click here to read our Insight on Rising Tensions in the Eastern Mediterranean Over Natural Gas.
