ATHENS — Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias on Thursday spoke on the phone with the European Commissioner for the Environment, Oceans and Fisheries, Virginijus Sinkevicius.

They discussed the agreement on the delimitation of the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) between Greece and Egypt, which extends the scope of the application of EU legislation and jurisdiction, according to a foreign ministry tweet.

Dendias pointed out to the European Commissioner, according to diplomatic sources, that the EEZ agreement between Greece and Egypt doesn't only extend the scope for the exercise of Greek sovereign rights, but also extends the scope for the application of EU law and jurisdiction in the same marine area.

The conversation was preceded by a letter from the Foreign Minister to the Commissioner, informing him officially about the framework of the signing of the Greece-Egypt delimitation agreement and the consequent extension of the scope of relevant EU legislation and jurisdiction in the Greek EEZ included in the agreement, according to the same sources.

This maritime area now also lies within EU waters, to which Community law will apply under Article 52 of the EU Treaty.

The priority given by the Greek government to issues of green economy, environmental protection and fishery sustainability was also discussed, diplomatic sources pointed out. The foreign minister will soon meet with the Commissioner in Athens or Brussels.