Greece Rejects Proposed Turkey-Syria Maritime Agreement
ANKARA, Turkey (North Press) – Turkey’s recent proposal to negotiate a maritime boundary agreement with Syria has ignited significant regional tensions, drawing sharp objections from neighboring Greece and Cyprus. The initiative, announced by Turkish Transport Minister Abdulkadir Uraloglu on December 24, 2024, aims to delineate maritime zones between Turkey and Syria in the Eastern Mediterranean, potentially facilitating joint energy exploration efforts.
Minister Uraloglu emphasized that any prospective agreement would adhere to international law and expand both nations’ jurisdictions over energy resources. He noted, however, that formal negotiations would commence only after the establishment of a stable government in Damascus, following the recent overthrow of President Bashar al-Assad by Turkish-backed Syrian rebels.
The proposal has been met with immediate resistance from Greece and Cyprus. Greek officials have labeled the potential agreement as “illegal,” arguing that Syria’s current transitional government lacks the legitimacy to enter into binding international accords. They warn that such a deal could undermine Greece’s sovereign rights and set a precedent challenging the maritime entitlements of islands like Crete and Cyprus.
Cyprus has echoed these concerns, with government spokesperson Konstantinos Letymbiotis asserting that any maritime agreement between Turkey and Syria must comply with international law, particularly the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). Letymbiotis highlighted that Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides, in coordination with Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, has briefed European Union leaders on Turkey’s proposed actions and secured their support in opposing the deal.
The backdrop to this development includes Turkey’s 2019 maritime agreement with Libya’s then-Government of National Accord, which delineated an exclusive economic zone (EEZ) between the two countries, bypassing the territorial waters of Greece and Cyprus. That agreement was widely condemned by Greece, Cyprus, and other EU members as a violation of international law, escalating regional tensions over energy exploration rights in the Eastern Mediterranean.
Analysts suggest that Turkey’s current overture towards Syria may be an attempt to replicate its Libyan strategy, seeking to expand its influence and access to potential hydrocarbon resources in the region. However, the legal and diplomatic challenges are substantial, given Syria’s ongoing internal instability and the lack of international recognition for its transitional authorities.
Greek Defense Ministry sources have described the proposed Turkey-Syria agreement as “hostile,” cautioning that it could further strain Greek-Turkish relations and provoke strong reactions for infringing upon the sovereignty of EU member states. The Greek Foreign Ministry has reiterated its stance that any such agreement would be null and void, lacking legal standing under international law.
In response to these developments, Greece and Cyprus are reportedly engaging in diplomatic efforts to rally support within the European Union and the broader international community. Their objective is to counter Turkey’s moves and uphold the principles of international maritime law, ensuring that any agreements in the Eastern Mediterranean respect the rights and sovereignty of all regional actors.
The situation remains fluid, with potential implications for regional stability and energy geopolitics. Observers are closely monitoring the interactions between Turkey, Syria, and neighboring countries, as well as the responses from international bodies, to assess the evolving dynamics in the Eastern Mediterranean.