Greece Leads Six Nations Against Turkish-Libyan Maritime Deal

by · Greek City Times

Greece, the European Union, Cyprus, Egypt, Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates have jointly rejected the 2019 Turkish-Libyan maritime memorandum, declaring it invalid under international law despite its ratification by Libya’s House of Representatives.

Greece Leads Six Nations Against Turkish-Libyan Maritime Deal

Greek Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis delivered the joint statement at the United Nations, warning that the agreement raises serious concerns about regional stability and the international legal order.

The statement follows the Libyan parliament’s decision on October 20, 2026, to ratify the memorandum signed by Turkey and Libya’s Tripoli-based Government of National Accord in 2019.

Read more: EU Unites Against Turkish-Libyan Maritime Deal as Greece Raises Alarm at UN

The agreement seeks to delimit maritime jurisdictional areas in the Mediterranean, drawing objections from Greece and other countries over its implications for maritime boundaries and the rights of neighbouring coastal states.

Six Parties Reject the Memorandum

Speaking on behalf of the six parties, Gerapetritis argued that bilateral agreements cannot override established principles of international law or undermine the maritime rights of third countries.

He specifically referred to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), which provides the international legal framework for maritime zones and the delimitation of maritime boundaries.

The joint statement declared that the Turkish-Libyan memorandum disregards geographical realities and the rights of coastal states, including the maritime entitlements of islands under international law.

It also stressed that Libya’s parliamentary ratification does not alter the agreement’s legal status in the eyes of the six parties.

“The memorandum remains invalid, contrary to international law and cannot constitute a legal basis for the delimitation of maritime zones nor produce legal effects for third states,” the statement said.

Gerapetritis warned that accepting bilateral agreements that disregard international legal principles would establish a dangerous precedent and undermine efforts to resolve disputes peacefully.

Greece Signals Willingness to Continue Talks With Libya

Despite its opposition to the memorandum, Greece reaffirmed its commitment to resolving maritime disputes through dialogue and negotiations based on international law.

Gerapetritis said Athens had conducted bilateral discussions with Libya over the delimitation of maritime zones in good faith and remained prepared to continue those efforts.

He also emphasised the importance of Libya’s institutional reunification and the establishment of a stable, prosperous state capable of contributing to regional cooperation.

“A stable Libya, actively participating in regional cooperation, is essential for peace and security throughout the Mediterranean,” the statement said.

Greece maintains that respect for international law and good neighbourly relations must guide Libya’s political transition and its relations with neighbouring countries.

European Union Reaffirms Its Position

Following the joint statement, European Union Ambassador to the United Nations Stavros Lambrinidis reiterated the bloc’s longstanding opposition to the Turkish-Libyan memorandum.

Lambrinidis said the EU regretted Libya’s parliamentary ratification of the agreement and reaffirmed that the bloc considers it incompatible with the law of the sea.

He referred to the European Council’s December 2019 conclusions and its subsequent reaffirmation of the EU position in June 2025.

According to Lambrinidis, the memorandum infringes on the sovereign rights of third countries and cannot produce legal effects for them.

The EU also called on all countries to respect the sovereign rights of its member states in accordance with European and international law, including UNCLOS.

Brussels has consistently maintained that the agreement cannot determine maritime boundaries in a way that disregards the rights of other states.

Strategic Implications for the Eastern Mediterranean

The dispute over the Turkish-Libyan memorandum remains a significant point of tension in the Eastern Mediterranean, where overlapping maritime claims affect territorial rights, energy exploration and regional cooperation.

Greece argues that the agreement fails to account adequately for the maritime entitlements of Greek islands, including Crete, while Turkey has defended the memorandum and rejected objections raised by Greece and the European Union.

Libya’s parliamentary ratification has added a new dimension to the dispute, prompting renewed diplomatic efforts by Athens and its partners to reinforce their legal position at the United Nations.

The latest joint statement demonstrates a coordinated diplomatic response involving European, Mediterranean and Gulf partners.

However, the dispute remains unresolved, with Greece continuing to advocate negotiations with Libya under international law while rejecting the 2019 memorandum as a valid basis for maritime delimitation.

Source: SKAI.gr

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