Egypt could secure more maritime jurisdiction under a pact with Ankara than a possible agreement with Greece would provide, with the gap exceeding 15,000 square kilometers (5,792 square miles), Türkiye’s National Defense Ministry (MSB) said.
The figure is the ministry’s estimate, not terms of a signed agreement between Egypt and Türkiye. The ministry reiterated that Ankara is ready to sign an agreement it says would be based on mutual interests.
The ministry also welcomed Libya’s House of Representatives’ Oct. 20 approval of a 2019 maritime pact with Türkiye. The vote reversed the House’s 2020 opposition and repealed two resolutions: one opposed ratifying two memorandums with Türkiye, while the other called for political ties with Ankara to be severed. The House said its approval covered the maritime memorandum only. The House’s reversal of its earlier opposition drew renewed objections from Greece.
The pact, signed in November 2019 by Türkiye and Libya’s former Government of National Accord, sets out maritime jurisdiction areas in the Mediterranean. Türkiye’s Foreign Ministry says it has been in force since 2019 and protects both countries’ interests. Greece’s Foreign Ministry has argued that the pact disregards maritime rights associated with Greek islands.
Turkish and Egyptian naval units are scheduled to join the Sea of Friendship-2026 Exercise in Alexandria, Egypt, from Nov. 4-9, the ministry said.
