Egypt’s permanent mission to the UN has reportedly delivered a “note verbale” – a formal diplomatic communication – dismissing Libyan assertions over the outer limits of a continental shelf that the Tripoli-based GNU government has declared.
The Egyptian reaction, according to reports in Greek media on Friday, also dispute Libyan claims for hydrocarbon exploration and exploitation blocks in the east Mediterranean.
The same reports have the Cairo government explicitly rejecting the limits of the Libyan continental shelf as declared and shown on various maps unveiled by Tripoli, with the former maintaining that they overlap with Egypt’s western maritime boundary.
Furthermore, according to the reports, the Egyptian side has declared its determination to defend its rights, which are grounded in international law and the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
Greece has previously and formally responded to Libya’s diplomatic protest regarding the publication of maritime concession maps southwest of Crete. The Greek Permanent Mission to the United Nations had submitted an official reply, clarifying the legal basis for the country’s maritime boundaries and resource exploration activities.
Greek Position Based on International Law
The response outlines the boundaries of Greece’s territorial waters, continental shelf, and Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), all defined in accordance with international law and the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). According to Greece, its territorial waters in the Ionian Sea and up to Cape Tainaron extend to 12 nautical miles. The statement also references agreements Greece has signed with Egypt (partial EEZ delimitation) and Italy.
