# Greece diplomatic efforts in Mediterranean and Middle East

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/greece-diplomatic-efforts-in-mediterranean-and-middle-east
> Updated: 2026-10-20T16:36:33.000Z. Sources: 55. Developments: 2.

Greece has utilized the UN Security Council to address regional stability concerns in the Middle East and North Africa. Ambassador Aglaia Baltas has advocated for a two-state solution and a ceasefire in Gaza, emphasizing the need for humanitarian aid and the disarmament of armed groups.

Regarding Libya, Greece has called for the withdrawal of foreign forces and support for a UN-led political process to facilitate elections. Acting on instructions from Foreign Minister Giorgos Geropetritis, Ambassador Baltas formally briefed the Security Council on the risks to Eastern Mediterranean stability following the ratification of the 2019 Turkey-Libya memorandum by the House of Representatives in Eastern Libya. 

During closed-door consultations, the Greek delegation emphasized that international maritime law cannot be redefined through unilateral decisions and noted that “geography remains unchanged.” Greece reiterated its support for the unification of Libyan institutions and the cessation of foreign interventions, maintaining that such goals must not infringe upon the sovereign rights of third-party states. 

In response to the memorandum, Foreign Minister Geropetritis held telephone discussions with his counterparts in Egypt, Badr Abdelatty, and Cyprus, Konstantinos Kombos, to coordinate regional responses. The European Union has maintained a firm stance, declaring the agreement void and non-binding for third-party states as it violates the Law of the Sea.

Following these developments, Greece and Egypt have agreed to expand the geographic scope of their 2020 Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) delimitation agreement. This decision, reached after discussions between Geropetritis and Abdelatty, serves as a strategic response to the Turkey-Libya memorandum, which both nations reject as illegal and inconsistent with the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). Additionally, Ambassador Baltas has submitted a letter to UN Secretary-General António Guterres challenging the legal validity of the memorandum, asserting it cannot produce legal effects against third-party states.

## Claims

- The discussions will be based on International Law and the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). (corroborated by 14 sources)
- Greece and Egypt oppose the ratification of the Turkey-Libya maritime memorandum by the Libyan House of Representatives. (corroborated by 14 sources)
- Greece and Egypt agreed to expand the geographic scope of their 2020 EEZ delimitation agreement. (corroborated by 13 sources)
- The House of Representatives in Eastern Libya ratified the 2019 Turkey-Libya memorandum on October 20, 2026. (corroborated by 11 sources)
- The Turkey-Libya memorandum is illegal and lacks legal consequences for Greece's rights. (corroborated by 8 sources)
- Ambassador Aglaia Baltas briefed the UN Security Council on the risks to Eastern Mediterranean stability. (corroborated by 8 sources)
- The 2020 agreement covered the area between the 26th and 28th meridians. (corroborated by 7 sources)
- Aglaia Baltas sent a letter to UN Secretary-General António Guterres challenging the legal validity of the Turkey-Libya memorandum. (corroborated by 7 sources)
- Foreign Minister Giorgos Geropetritis held telephone discussions with Egypt's Badr Abdelatty and Cyprus's Konstantinos Kombos. (corroborated by 6 sources)
- Greece has brought the issue of the Libyan House of Representatives' ratification to the UN Security Council. (corroborated by 6 sources)
- The Greek government has experienced successive diplomatic failures regarding Turkey. (corroborated by 5 sources)
- The 2020 agreement recognized the influence of Greek islands including Crete, Karpathos, and Rhodes. (corroborated by 5 sources)

## Timeline

### 2026-10-20: Greece and Egypt to expand maritime EEZ agreement

Greece and Egypt will expand their 2020 EEZ agreement following the ratification of the Turkey-Libya maritime memorandum, which both nations reject as illegal under UNCLOS.

53 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/greek-foreign-minister-holds-talks-with-egypt-and-cyprus

### 2026-10-15: Greece addresses Gaza peace and Libya stability at UN Security Council

Greece's UN representative Aglaia Baltas called for a lasting Gaza ceasefire and two-state solution, while urging the withdrawal of foreign forces from Libya and respect for international law.

4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/greece-addresses-gaza-peace-and-libya-stability-at-un-security-council

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Cite as: Greece diplomatic efforts in Mediterranean and Middle East. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/greece-diplomatic-efforts-in-mediterranean-and-middle-east