Türkiye Ready To Sign Maritime Boundary Agreement With Egypt
Türkiye has expressed readiness to sign an agreement with Egypt on the delimitation of maritime boundaries, saying a potential deal could offer Cairo greater maritime jurisdiction than an arrangement with Greece.
The Turkish Defence Ministry disclosed this on Wednesday, October 28, during its weekly press briefing in Ankara, where spokesperson Zeki Aktürk reaffirmed the country’s commitment to protecting its maritime interests in the eastern Mediterranean.
“We once again emphasise that we are ready to sign an Agreement on the Delimitation of Maritime Jurisdiction Areas with Egypt in line with mutual interests,” the ministry said in a statement.
According to the ministry, an agreement between Türkiye and Egypt could grant Egypt more than 15,000 square kilometres of additional maritime jurisdiction compared with a potential agreement it could reach with Greece.
The ministry said Türkiye would continue to defend its legitimate rights and interests in the eastern Mediterranean in accordance with international law, while contributing to regional peace, security and stability.
It also welcomed Libya’s recent approval of a memorandum of understanding on maritime jurisdiction delimitation signed with Türkiye in 2019.
The ministry described the development as significant, saying it supported Türkiye’s position on international law and the principle of equity, while recognising the legitimate rights and interests of relevant coastal states.
Meanwhile, Aktürk welcomed efforts by the Iraqi central government to strengthen state authority and restore normalcy in the Sinjar region.
He said eliminating the presence of terrorist organisations and ensuring security through Iraq’s official security forces would be essential to achieving lasting peace and stability in the area.
The ministry added that Türkiye was monitoring developments in Sinjar in coordination with relevant Turkish government institutions.
In a related development, Aktürk announced that Turkish and Egyptian naval forces would participate in the Sea of Friendship military exercise scheduled to hold in Alexandria, Egypt, from November 4 to 9.
The exercise will feature surface warfare, anti-submarine operations, air defence activities and underwater offensive training.
The planned naval exercise comes amid renewed diplomatic and military engagement between the two countries, as discussions over maritime boundaries and regional security continue to shape relations in the eastern Mediterranean.
