Libyan Parliament Ratifies Contested Maritime Deal With Turkey Amid Regional Outcry
The eastern-based Libyan parliament unanimously ratified a 2019 maritime demarcation deal with Turkey, drawing sharp condemnation from Greece, Egypt, and the European Union over contested Mediterranean gas claims.
Turkey has scored a significant diplomatic and strategic victory as the eastern-based Libyan parliament unanimously ratified the 2019 maritime demarcation memorandum of understanding. The agreement, originally signed between Ankara and the Tripoli government, establishes a shared maritime boundary across the eastern Mediterranean. While Turkey claims extensive areas potentially rich in natural gas, neighboring countries have strongly condemned the decision.
International Rejection and Regional Tensions
Greece, Egypt, and Cyprus immediately rejected the ratification, arguing that the memorandum violates international maritime law and infringes upon their sovereign rights. Athens maintains that the agreement completely ignores Greek islands such as Crete and Rhodes, which lie between the two countries. The European Union also condemned the move, with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Antonio Costa expressing deep regret and declaring the deal null and void.
The geography and international maritime law cannot be changed by unilateral parliamentary decisions, stated the Greek Foreign Ministry.
Strengthening Ties Between Ankara and Benghazi
The ratification marks a dramatic turnaround for eastern Libya, whose parliament previously opposed the deal under the influence of former speaker Aguila Saleh. Analysts note that the vote was facilitated by the recent removal of Saleh, reflecting deepening economic and political cooperation between Ankara and Khalifa Haftar's faction in eastern Libya.
