On March 21, 2018, Algeria, by decree of the President of the Republic, unilaterally extended its EEZ (Exclusive Economic Zone) by 400 km, thus reaching just 12 km from the coasts of south-west Sardinia.
This is what was said today, in parliamentary interpellation, by the Northern League Borghi in the Chamber of Deputies. The minister for relations with Parliament D'Incà replied that Italy contested by appealing to article 74 of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, with a letter dated 28 November 2018.
Almost seven months later, on 20 June 2019, Algeria responded with a verbal note to act in common through dialogue to reach a fair and acceptable solution on the external limits of the EEZ of Algeria and the maritime space of Italy.
Therefore, according to what Minister D'Incà said, Algeria decides what the marine exploitation areas of Italy should be.
The objectives of Algiers include both fishing areas - the fish sector of western Sardinia could suffer serious damage - and energy exploitation. Furthermore, the migration issue should not be underestimated with the opening of a new route between the Algerian and Sardinian coasts.
Once again, the inability of Italian politicians, and especially of the Executive, to give a decisive response to open violations of our sovereignty is highlighted.
Mr Borghi replied to the minister that one does not ask to send cruisers and battleships, as the Americans or the British would have done, but to formulate a written act to make Algerians understand that that stretch of sea is ours.
We instead ask the government to send a naval group to protect our interests, in compliance with the law of the sea that Algiers is openly violating.
Photo: presidency of the ministers' rabbit
