The spokesman for the Greek Foreign Ministry, Alexandros Papaioannou, said contrary to those who conclude illegal and null and void

memoranda that ignore and violate fundamental rules of International Law and the Law of the Sea, Greece exercises its sovereign rights in full respect of International Law and the Law of the Sea.

Responding to the statement of the Libyan Foreign Minister Najla Al-Mangoush's statement that protested the contracting of international firms by Greece to start exploration activity for oil and gas in the contested zone in the Mediterranean near Crete island, Papaioannou indicated that this is also what Athens has done in the EEZ delimitations with Egypt and Italy.

Libyan FM also said the Greek behavior was irresponsible while it should have been oriented to peace with the states sharing Mediterranean borders. It added that Greece was working to take advantage of the Libyan crisis and impose fait accompli on Libya regarding border demarcation, especially by contracting in the contested zone near Crete island.

It also warned of the consequences of this behavior, which was officially protested, stressing that Libya will continue to defend its maritime borders and sovereign rights in its maritime zones by all available legal and diplomatic means.

The Libyan FM referred to the validity of reports about the Greek authorities contracting international companies for oil and gas search and exploration, such as "SWIFT SANCO" ship that is specialized in search operations in the eastern Mediterranean.