AHEPA Supreme President Kaitson Condemns Turkish-Libyan Delimitation Memorandum of Understanding

 

Wednesday, October 28, 2026 Contact: AHEPA Headquarters Phone: 202-232-6300 Email: press@ahepa.org FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE AHEPA Supreme President Kaitson Condemns Turkish-Libyan Delimitation Memorandum of Understanding WASHINGTON, D.C. — AHEPA Supreme President E. Chris Kaitson strongly condemns the recent ratification of the Turkish-Libyan delimitation memorandum of understanding. The memorandum seeks to establish an exclusive economic zone (EEZ) via arbitrary lines drawn across the Mediterranean sea and directly through Greek waters. This agreement is a direct violation of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, (UNCLOS) which establishes under Article 121 that inhabited islands generate their own EEZ. Legally speaking, this grants Greece the economic rights to this strip of sea, as Crete and Rhodes essentially exist on the line in which Turkey now claims. "This is just another blatant dismissal of international law by Turkey," said Supreme President Kaitson, "The law is clear. This territory exists within Greece's 200 nautical mile EEZ, and their refusal to participate in international lawmaking does not grant them the right to develop their own." Turkey refuses to acknowledge UNCLOS, instead opting for their own definition of maritime law as part of their expansionist scheme to claim territory in the Mediterranean sea. "The announcement of the ratification of the Turkish-Libyan delimitation memorandum of understanding has raised tensions in the region and is unhelpful and provocative and our position on this matter has not changed," said the United States Department of State. Additionally, the European Union declared the agreement illegal and without legal effect on October 21st. AHEPA maintains that this agreement is completely unacceptable and is in active discussions with State Department officials in Washington, as well as ICC officials in The Hauge to hold Turkey and Libya accountable for their illegal and contentious action. ### Founded in 1922 in Atlanta, Georgia, on the principles that undergirded its fight for civil rights and against discrimination, bigotry, and hatred felt at the hands of the Ku Klux Klan, AHEPA is the largest and oldest grassroots association of American citizens of Greek heritage and Philhellenes with more than 400 chapters across the United States, Canada, and Europe.    AHEPA's mission is to promote the ancient Greek ideals of Education, Philanthropy, Civic Responsibility, and Family and Individual Excellence through community service and volunteerism.    For more information, please visit www.ahepa.org.  This is an electronic news service of the American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association. For more information visit AHEPA's official website, www.ahepa.org. 1909 Q Street, NW Washington, DC 20009 Tel: 202-232-6300 Fax: 202-232-2140 Email: ahepa@ahepa.org

AHEPA | 1909 Q Street, NW Suite 500 | Washington, DC 20009 US