Today, I had the great pleasure and opportunity to exchange views with my Italian counterpart, Luigi Di Maio. This is our third meeting in the space of two weeks, but the first on a purely bilateral level.
We talked about security issues in the region, but also the broader issues created in the Mediterranean following the signing of the two memoranda by Turkey and Mr. Sarraj. We share the view that these memoranda are illegal, are null and void, provoke instability in our region, and are a threat to peace. They also further fuel the civil conflict in Libya. Beyond that, one of these is an attempt to usurp Greek sovereign rights.
We also talked about the major prospects for energy security through the findings in the Eastern Mediterranean. We agreed on the added value of the EastMed pipeline, not only for our countries, but also for our societies and peoples. We expect Italy to sign the relevant agreement very soon.
We reconfirmed our very close economic relations and our mutual will for greater growth in our bilateral relations. After all, we are friends and neighbours.
My colleague and I also agreed to continue to monitor the situation closely, not only in Libya, but also the general situation in the region, and to act accordingly and in coordination.
February 4, 2020