Türkiye says Greece-Chevron activity off Crete 'unlawful'ANKARATürkiye said on Feb. 19 it opposed Greece’s hydrocarbon exploration activities south of Crete carried out by a consortium led by U.S. oil major Chevron, calling them "unilateral" steps that violate international law and harm good neighbourly relations. “We oppose this unlawful activity, which is being attempted in violation of the 2019 Memorandum of Understanding on Maritime Jurisdiction between Libya and our country,” Turkish Defense Ministry officials were quoted as saying during a weekly press briefing. “We continue to provide the necessary support to the Libyan authorities to take action against these unilateral and unlawful activities by Greece,” the ministry said. The 2019 maritime deal between Türkiye and Libya defined boundaries in the Mediterranean but was rejected by Greece, which said the deal ignored the presence of the Greek island of Crete between the coastlines of the two countries. NATO allies Türkiye and Greece have long been at odds over maritime boundaries and energy rights in the Aegean Sea, a region believed to hold significant hydrocarbon resources and carrying implications for airspace and military activity.

Source: Ethiopian News February 19, 2026 11:59 UTC