In response to the objections raised by Antonis Samaras, government sources characterized his remarks as 'usual, out-of-touch statements'. These comments were specifically directed towards a recent agreement with Chevron, where government representatives emphasized that sovereign rights are never lost through contracts with private companies. They underscored the importance of including necessary legal provisions that protect the public interest against potential claims in future boundary delimitations made by the Greek state.

The government sources indicated that preliminary discussions are underway involving technical committees addressing the delimitation of continental shelf and exclusive economic zones (EEZ) between Greece and Libya, while partial delimitations between Greece and Egypt are also in existence. This diplomatic engagement highlights Greece's efforts to clarify maritime boundaries in a region that has seen increased tensions relating to natural resource exploration and sovereign rights.

Regarding the research activities of the vessel Ievoli Relume, which is connected to the electrical interconnection project between Crete and Cyprus, these discussions are part of broader governmental efforts to solidify energy dependencies and cooperative projects in the region. This context is critical as it underscores Greece's strategic priorities in energy and maritime policy amidst changing geopolitical dynamics.