Greece and Allies Reject Turkey-Libya Maritime Deal as Illegal (VID)

by · Greek City Times

Greece, Egypt, Cyprus, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates and the European Union have rejected the 2019 Turkey-Libya maritime memorandum, declaring it contrary to international law and incapable of providing a legal basis for maritime boundary delimitation or producing legal effects for third states.

Greek Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis delivered the joint statement on behalf of the six participants following Libya’s House of Representatives’ recent decision to ratify the memorandum, which concerns the delimitation of maritime jurisdiction areas in the Mediterranean.

“The memorandum remains null and void, runs counter to international law and cannot constitute a lawful basis for the delimitation of maritime zones or produce legal effects for third states,” Gerapetritis said.

The joint statement warned that the Libyan parliament’s decision raised serious concerns about regional security and stability. It also highlighted a broader challenge to the international legal order: ensuring that unilateral bilateral agreements do not undermine established international law or infringe on the rights of third states.

Read more: Greece Leads Six Nations Against Turkish-Libyan Maritime Deal

Gerapetritis stressed that the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), together with customary international law, provides the legal framework for delimiting maritime zones. These rules, he said, are fundamental to predictability, legal certainty and peaceful relations between states.

He cautioned that accepting bilateral agreements that disregard applicable international law would set a dangerous precedent, undermining the international legal order and the principles that underpin the peaceful settlement of disputes.

The statement said the memorandum disregards the geographical realities of the Mediterranean and the maritime rights of coastal states, including the rights of islands under UNCLOS. It added that the Libyan parliament’s ratification did not change the memorandum’s legal status.

Six parties reaffirm support for a united Libya

The six participants reaffirmed their commitment to reunifying Libya’s institutions and supporting the prospect of a united and prosperous country. They stressed that a stable Libya that actively participates in regional cooperation is essential to peace and security across the Mediterranean.

They also said Libya’s political transition and relations with neighbouring countries must respect international law and the principles of good neighbourly relations.

Greece remains open to maritime talks with Libya

The statement also addressed bilateral talks between Greece and Libya on maritime boundary delimitation. It said Greece had pursued negotiations in good faith and in accordance with international law and remained ready to continue them.

“Respect for international law is an essential prerequisite for regional stability and for maintaining a rules-based international order,” Gerapetritis said.

The joint declaration followed the Libyan House of Representatives’ approval of the 2019 memorandum on October 20. The European Union has also stated that the agreement infringes the sovereign rights of third states, does not comply with the law of the sea and is null and void.

(Source: AMNA)

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