Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis announced on Thursday the revival of a plan for a regional forum of Eastern Mediterranean coastal states to address maritime disputes and related issues, emphasizing international law as the guiding principle.
Speaking in Parliament during a foreign policy debate, Mitsotakis stated, “Greece aims to foster understanding with all our neighbors, using the Law of the Sea as our compass.” He expressed intentions to invite coastal states to a forum to discuss shared concerns, asserting, “Greece has no fear in defending its positions at the table.”
This announcement aligns with discreet diplomatic efforts involving the US. According to Kathimerini, Massad Boulos, father of US President Donald Trump’s son-in-law and a State Department adviser, has engaged with representatives from Greece, Turkey, Libya, and Egypt to resolve maritime disputes. The US sees economic benefits in regional stability, with companies like Chevron and ExxonMobil eyeing expanded operations in the Eastern Mediterranean.
Mitsotakis met Boulos on September 26 during the UN General Assembly in New York. The arrival of new US ambassador Kimberly Guilfoyle in Athens is anticipated soon, with her role in regional diplomacy yet to be clarified.
The forum idea was initially proposed in September 2020 by then-European Council President Charles Michel amid Greek-Turkish tensions, envisioning a conference on maritime boundaries, energy, defense, and migration. However, challenges persist, particularly due to unresolved issues like the Cyprus dispute, which could complicate participation.
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