Turkey on Thursday announced utter rejection to Greece’s “unilateral activities” in energy fields south of Crete, carried out with a consortium led by US energy giant Chevron, according to Reuters.
Ankara has described the move as a violation of both the international law and good‑neighborly relations.
“We oppose this unlawful activity, which is being attempted in violation of the 2019 Memorandum of Understanding on Maritime Jurisdiction between Libya and our country,” the Turkish Defense Ministry said at a press briefing.
In response, the Greek authorities denied this accusation, saying that its energy policies fully comply with international law.
The consortium headed by US energy giant Chevron signed exclusive lease agreements to explore for natural gas off southern Greece.
These agreements further broaden the American involvement in the eastern Mediterranean’s energy sector.
Turkish authorities acknowledged the activity does not directly affect its continental shelf. However, they argued it violates Libya’s maritime jurisdiction, which was formally declared to the United Nations in May 2025.
“We continue to provide the necessary support to the Libyan authorities to take action against these unilateral and unlawful activities by Greece,” the ministry said.
Both Turkey and Libya signed a landmark agreement in 2019 to establish maritime boundaries in the Mediterranean Sea.
Athens dismissed the deal, claiming that it significantly ignored the presence of Crete, a major Greek island lying between the Turkish and Libyan coasts.
Greek government spokesman Pavlos Marinakis, in response to Ankara’s criticism, said that said Athens follows an “active policy” and “exercises its rights in accordance with international law.”
Meanwhile, Chevron did not release any immediate comments.
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