Turkey Offers Gas and Maritime Deal to Egypt Amid Eastern Mediterranean Tensions
Translated & summarized from i24NEWS French by baba
Turkey has proposed a maritime boundary and gas agreement to Egypt in the Eastern Mediterranean, potentially offering Cairo more maritime jurisdiction than a deal with Greece. This move comes after Turkey ratified a controversial maritime deal with eastern Libya, which Egypt opposes. The proposal also highlights Turkey's exclusion from the East Mediterranean Gas Forum, a partnership between Israel, Egypt, and Greece, and aims to increase Ankara's regional energy and diplomatic influence.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Turkey proposed a maritime boundary and gas deal to Egypt in the Eastern Mediterranean.
- The Turkish proposal could grant Egypt over 15,000 km² more maritime jurisdiction than a deal with Greece.
- Egypt opposes Turkey's recent maritime agreement with eastern Libya, aligning instead with Greece.
- Turkey is excluded from the East Mediterranean Gas Forum, a partnership of Israel, Egypt, and Greece.
- Israel has a major gas supply contract with Egypt worth approximately $35 billion until 2040.
Turkey has proposed a maritime boundary agreement with Egypt in the strategically important Eastern Mediterranean, a region abundant in natural gas resources. The Turkish Ministry of Defense stated that such a partnership could grant Cairo over 15,000 square kilometers more maritime jurisdiction than a potential deal with Greece.
This offer follows the Turkish Parliament's ratification on October 20 of a controversial 2019 maritime agreement with eastern Libya. This accord, strongly opposed by Athens and Nicosia, could allow Turkey to expand its exploration activities into waters also claimed by Greece and Cyprus.
However, Turkey's initiative faces a significant diplomatic challenge. Egypt has previously denounced the Turkish-Libyan agreement and reaffirmed its alignment with Athens. Egypt and Greece, already bound by a maritime deal from 2020, are considering expanding their exclusive economic zone delimitations.
The rivalry extends to energy interests, directly impacting Israel. Israel, Egypt, and Greece are partners in the East Mediterranean Gas Forum, an organization from which Turkey is excluded. Notably, in December 2025, Israel approved a significant $35 billion contract to supply 130 billion cubic meters of gas to Egypt by 2040.
By extending an offer to Cairo, Ankara aims to bolster its energy and diplomatic influence in a region where alliances are crucial.
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