Six Nations Condemn Libya-Turkey Maritime Deal as Threat to Mediterranean Stability

Greece, Bahrain, Cyprus, Egypt, the EU, and the UAE issued a joint warning on Monday, stating that Libya's endorsement of a controversial maritime agreement with Turkey jeopardizes regional stability in the Mediterranean. Greek Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis conveyed the collective statement, emphasizing that the vote by Libya’s eastern-based House of Representatives to ratify the preliminary 2019 accord raises significant concerns for regional security and stability. Mr. Gerapetritis explained that the agreement, referred to as the "so-called Turkish Libyan Memorandum," disregards geographical realities and the maritime entitlements of all relevant coastal states, including those of islands under the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). The pact, signed between Ankara and the internationally recognized Libyan government in Tripoli, establishes a maritime corridor connecting Turkey's southern coast with Libya's northern coast. This corridor enables both nations to assert economic rights over potentially valuable oil and gas reserves located beneath the Mediterranean seabed. The deal has been a persistent point of contention with Greece, Egypt, and Cyprus, who argue that it infringes upon their maritime rights and contravenes international law. Libya's opposing eastern administration, led by military commander Khalifa Haftar, had previously opposed the agreement for several years. At the time of its initial signing, Libya was embroiled in a civil war. Turkey has since cultivated stronger ties with Khalifa Haftar and his allies, while simultaneously maintaining its close relationship with the government in Tripoli, thereby enabling Ankara to engage with both factions of Libya's divided leadership. Furthermore, the agreement could potentially disrupt plans for the EastMed pipeline, a proposed project designed to transport natural gas from Israel and Cyprus, via Greece, to Europe. This pipeline, intended to bolster Europe's energy security, would traverse waters claimed by Turkey and Libya under the terms of their deal. Mr. Gerapetritis reiterated that the agreement disregards the maritime rights of Greek islands as stipulated by the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, a framework that can be utilized for arbitrating territorial disputes. A diplomat, speaking anonymously due to the sensitive nature of the issue, informed The National that "Turkey and Libya have no adjacent coasts and no opposite coasts and, therefore, no common maritime boundaries." The diplomat further asserted that "The memorandum is null and void and produces no legal consequences. Equally, its purported ratification too is contrary to international law and of no legal effect." This individual highlighted that both parties are disregarding numerous Greek islands, characterizing the proposed maritime boundary as a "blatant refashioning of geography" that violates international maritime law. "Accepting bilateral arrangements that disregard the applicable rules and principles of the law of the sea would set a dangerous precedent, undermining the international legal order," the diplomat added. Libya's UN envoy, Taher El Sonni, defended the agreement, telling The National that it was a "sovereign decision" and that countries challenging it should pursue legal avenues, such as the International Court of Justice. He stated, “We see that this is a legitimate agreement, but we respect also all views of all neighbouring countries, and we try to have bilateral discussions with them.” The EU has also voiced criticism, deeming the agreement a violation of the sovereign rights of third countries and non-compliant with the law of the sea. Speaking in Cairo on Monday, UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres declared that violations of international law are unacceptable and that maritime arrangements inconsistent with the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea should neither be recognized nor accepted. Egypt, a long-standing supporter of Libya’s eastern authorities, rejected the agreement last week, declaring it null and void with no legal standing for Cairo. Notably, Cairo and Athens had previously signed their own maritime delimitation agreement in August 2020. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan dismissed the criticisms on Monday, asserting that objections from the EU and other parties lacked "legitimate basis." He added, “We are not seeking to score points against anyone in the eastern Mediterranean,” and that those attempting to exclude Turkey from the region must respect Ankara's and Libya's will.