Greek PM Rejects Turkey-Libya Maritime Deal, Urges Black Sea Truce – Greek City Times

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has rejected a maritime agreement between Turkey and Libya’s eastern parliament, calling it “blatantly illegal, null and void,” and urged an international truce to protect commercial shipping in the Black Sea following attacks on vessels in the region.

Greece Condemns Turkey-Libya Maritime Agreement

Mitsotakis said the agreement disregards the geography of the eastern Mediterranean and the presence of Greek islands. The deal, originally agreed in 2019, has drawn objections from Greece and other regional countries over its implications for maritime boundaries and international law.

Greek PM Mitsotakis at the UN Security Council on the Turkey–Libya memorandum:

“Imagine if Greece and Tunisia did the same, leaving out Malta and Sicily. It is ridiculous.”

“No agreement between two states can abolish the rights of a third state.” 🇬🇷#Greece #TurkeyLibya pic.twitter.com/HKwzHCsxfk

— Greek City Times (@greekcitytimes) October 29, 2026

The Greek prime minister urged Libya to negotiate directly with Athens on maritime boundaries and said Greece’s offshore gas exploration plans near Crete would not be threatened.

Greek PM Calls for Black Sea Shipping Truce

Mitsotakis called for an international truce to protect freedom of navigation after a Greek-owned container ship sank following a reported naval drone strike off Bulgaria.

He said Greek shipowners were prepared to resume trade across the Black Sea, including with Ukraine, if safe passage could be guaranteed. Rising shipping, chartering and insurance costs are adding pressure on commercial operators.

The security of Black Sea routes is also critical to Ukrainian grain exports, which have been disrupted by Russia’s war against Ukraine.

Greece Urges EU to Strengthen Red Sea Naval Mission

Mitsotakis called on more European Union countries to contribute naval assets to Operation Aspides, the EU mission established to protect shipping in the Red Sea from attacks by Yemen’s Houthi movement.

He said a stronger European naval presence was needed to safeguard vital trade routes and demonstrate the bloc’s commitment to the security of Gulf countries.

Greece Reaffirms Support for Sanctions Against Russia

The Greek prime minister reiterated Athens’ support for economic sanctions against Russia, arguing that continued financial pressure was necessary while the war in Ukraine persists.

His comments followed a US move concerning sanctions on Russian diesel exports, highlighting differing approaches to economic pressure on Moscow.