Greece Deploys Warships to Eastern Mediterranean to Curb Migration

Greece has deployed three warships to the Eastern Mediterranean, citing efforts to curb the growing influx of migrants departing from Libya’s shores.

Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis confirmed this week-end the action during the European Union Summit, stating that the vessels aim to intercept human smuggling boats before they leave Libyan waters.

While migration control is the stated objective, the deployment also coincides with renewed geopolitical tensions over a contentious maritime agreement between Turkey and Libya. The European Council, in its summit communiqué, criticised the 2019 Turkey-Libya maritime memorandum, asserting it infringes upon the sovereign rights of third countries and lacks legal standing under international maritime law.

Athens welcomed the Council’s explicit condemnation of the maritime pact, viewing it as validation of Greece’s longstanding objections. Conversely, Ankara denounced the EU’s position as biased and destabilising, accusing Greece and Greek Cypriots of pushing “maximalist” claims that defy international legal standards. Turkey’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Öncü Keçeli dismissed the EU’s conclusions, stating they undermine regional peace and equity. The unfolding developments reflect a complex blend of migration management, regional power projection, and competing interpretations of international maritime boundaries in a fraught Mediterranean theatre.

About Geraldine Boechat 3218 Articles
Senior Editor for Medafrica Times and former journalist for Swiss National Television. former NGO team leader in Burundi and Somalia