Turbulent Mediterranean: Greece and Egypt expect a 'more decisive' US role with Biden

(Patria) - Greece and Egypt, which have angered Turkey by concluding an agreement on natural resources in the Eastern Mediterranean, have made it known that they expect a more decisive US role in the region with the newly elected President Biden, the Prime Minister of Greece stated on Wednesday.  

- Greece and Egypt view a more decisive US role in the Middle East and the Eastern Mediterranean positively, stated Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis at a joint press conference with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, who is on a working visit to Athens.

Let us recall, official Athens and Cairo concluded an agreement on partial demarcation of maritime borders in August, granting them rights to natural resources in the Mediterranean.

Mitsotakis commented that countries that respect international law and foster neighborly relations can achieve results for the benefit of their people. He also stated that both countries are willing to expand the agreement and thus cooperation.

At the same time, Turkey, whose relations with Greece are characterized by tension due to the dispute over energy resources in the Mediterranean, claims that this agreement infringes upon its continental shelf.

The agreement also overlaps with maritime zones that Turkey agreed upon with Libya last year, which official Athens declared illegal.

Tensions between the two NATO member states escalated after Turkey sent the seismic research vessel 'Oruc Reis' into disputed Mediterranean waters.

Ankara, following objections, withdrew the ship in September to create space for diplomatic negotiations with Greece, but then returned it to the same area. Comments from Greece stated that Ankara's move was 'provocative' and that the ship must be withdrawn.

Egypt sided with Greece: 'We have agreed to continue with a policy of solidarity, together with other friendly countries, to confront any party acting from a hostile position,' stated Egyptian President al-Sisi, writes Reuters.