GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip — Palestinian officials have taken the first practical steps to demarcate Palestine's maritime border with Egypt by forming a team of specialists to negotiate with Cairo. In September, the Palestinian Authority signed the charter of the East Mediterranean Gas Forum (EMGF).

Egypt reached maritime border demarcation agreements with both Greece and Cyprus in August before singing onto the EMGF, which includes Israel, Italy, Jordan, the Palestinian Authority and Greece. The forum aims to strengthen cooperation between the six member states and allow each country to explore its own natural resources in the Mediterranean Sea. These regional developments came as Turkey began drilling for natural gas in a disputed maritime zone with Greece.

Palestinian Ambassador to Ankara Faed Mustafa told the Turkish press June 22 that Palestine was ready to negotiate with Turkey to demarcate the maritime border. “We are open to any idea that would deepen our relations with Turkey, including a deal on the exclusive economic zones,” he said.

Speaking to Al-Monitor on condition of anonymity, an official at the Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and a member of the negotiation team revealed that the team includes experts in several fields, including borders and natural resources. He stressed that the demarcation of maritime borders has become a pressing need as Israel continues to steal Palestinian natural resources, specifically natural gas, off the Palestinian coast.