Maritime zones: Athens seeks to settle dispute with Ankara

The Greek Prime Minister, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, expresses his wish to resolve the historic dispute with Turkey over the delimitation of their maritime zones by applying to the International Court of Justice in The Hague. While acknowledging that reaching an agreement with Ankara will not be easy, he is keen to find a solution that will allow the International Court to intervene in this decades-old case, which concerns energy exploration rights in the Aegean and Eastern Mediterranean.

Share:

Gain full professional access to energynews.pro from 4.90€/month.
Designed for decision-makers, with no long-term commitment.

Over 30,000 articles published since 2021.
150 new market analyses every week to decode global energy trends.

Monthly Digital PRO PASS

Immediate Access
4.90€/month*

No commitment – cancel anytime, activation in 2 minutes.

*Special launch offer: 1st month at the indicated price, then 14.90 €/month, no long-term commitment.

Annual Digital PRO Pass

Full Annual Access
99€/year*

To access all of energynews.pro without any limits

*Introductory annual price for year one, automatically renewed at 149.00 €/year from the second year.

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said on Thursday he hoped to resolve their historic dispute with neighboring Turkey over the delimitation of their maritime zones before the International Court of Justice in The Hague, which has jurisdiction over the law of the sea.

The Greek Prime Minister wants the International Court to intervene in the dispute with Turkey

“My main objective is to resolve our main dispute with Turkey, that of the delimitation of maritime zones”, said Kyriakos Mitsotakis in an interview with the Skaï channel, the day after his meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on the sidelines of the Nato summit in Vilnius.

This would mean first reaching an agreement with Ankara “so that the International Court can take up this case, which has been pending for decades”, he added, in an allusion to the UN judicial body based in The Hague.

Kyriakos Mitsotakis, who was returned to power for a second term following the June 25 elections in Greece, nevertheless felt that reaching agreement with Ankara on this issue “was not an easy matter”. Athens and Ankara have long been at loggerheads over the delimitation of the exclusive economic zones and continental shelf of the Greek islands in the Aegean Sea, close to the Turkish coast, and consequently over energy exploration rights in this area of the eastern Mediterranean.

Exploratory talks between experts from the two countries began in 2000 in an attempt to resolve this issue, but have been interrupted several times to date with no result.

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei calls for modernising the oil industry and expanding export markets as Tehran faces the possible reactivation of 2015 nuclear deal sanctions.
The Ukrainian president demanded that Slovakia end its imports of Russian crude, offering an alternative supply solution amid ongoing war and growing diplomatic tensions over the Druzhba pipeline.
The United States cuts tariffs on Japanese imports to 15%, while Tokyo launches a massive investment plan targeting American energy, industry, and agriculture.
Brazil’s Cop 30 presidency aims to leverage the Dubai commitments to mobilise public and private actors despite ongoing deadlock in international negotiations.
Brasília has officially begun the process of joining the International Energy Agency, strengthening its strategic position on the global energy stage after years of close cooperation with the Paris-based organisation.
During a meeting in Beijing, Vladimir Putin called on Slovakia to suspend its energy deliveries to Ukraine, citing Ukrainian strikes on Russian energy infrastructure as justification.
Vladimir Putin and Robert Fico met in China to address the war in Ukraine, regional security and energy relations between Russia and Slovakia.
Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico plans to meet Vladimir Putin in Beijing before receiving Volodymyr Zelensky in Bratislava, marking a diplomatic shift in his relations with Moscow and Kyiv.
The three European powers activate the UN sanctions mechanism against Iran, increasing pressure on the country's oil exports as Tehran maintains high production despite Western measures.
Iran once again authorises the International Atomic Energy Agency to inspect its nuclear sites, following a suspension triggered by a dispute over responsibility for Israeli strikes.
First suspect linked to the Nord Stream pipeline explosions, a Ukrainian citizen challenged by Berlin opposes his judicial transfer from Italy.
Ukrainian drones targeted a nuclear power plant and a Russian oil terminal, increasing pressure on diplomatic talks as Moscow and Kyiv accuse each other of blocking any prospect of negotiation.
A Ukrainian national suspected of coordinating the Nord Stream pipeline sabotage has been apprehended in Italy, reigniting a judicial case with significant geopolitical implications across Europe.
Russia continues hydrocarbon deliveries to India and explores new outlets for liquefied natural gas, amid escalating trade tensions with the United States.
Azerbaijani energy infrastructure targeted in Ukraine raises concerns over the security of gas flows between Baku and Kyiv, just as a new supply agreement has been signed.
The suspension of 1,400 MW of electricity supplied by Iran to Iraq puts pressure on the Iraqi grid, while Tehran records a record 77 GW demand and must balance domestic consumption with regional obligations.
Beijing opposes the possible return of European trio sanctions against Iran, as the nuclear deal deadline approaches and diplomatic tensions rise around Tehran.
The United States plans to collaborate with Pakistan on critical minerals and hydrocarbons, exploring joint ventures and projects in strategic areas such as Balochistan.
Around 80 Russian technical standards for oil and gas have been internationally validated, notably by the United Arab Emirates, Algeria and Oman, according to the Institute of Oil and Gas Technological Initiatives.
Baghdad and Damascus intensify discussions to reactivate the 850 km pipeline closed since 2003, offering a Mediterranean alternative amid regional tensions and export blockages.

Log in to read this article

You'll also have access to a selection of our best content.