Türkiye has welcomed a decision by Libya’s House of Representatives regarding the memorandum of understanding on the delimitation of maritime jurisdiction areas between Türkiye and Libya.
“We welcome the decision adopted today (October 20) by Libya’s House of Representatives regarding the Memorandum of Understanding on the Delimitation of Maritime Jurisdiction Areas between Türkiye and Libya, which has been in force since 2019,” the Turkish foreign ministry said in a statement on Tuesday.
The ministry said the memorandum, based on the principles of international law and equity, safeguards both countries’ mutual rights and interests and further strengthens cooperation.
Türkiye will continue working with all partners to promote trust, stability and peace in the Mediterranean basin, in line with its commitment to respecting international law, the statement added.
What is the 2019 Türkiye-Libya maritime agreement?
On November 27, 2019, Türkiye and Libya’s then internationally recognised Government of National Accord (GNA), signed a memorandum of understanding delimiting their respective maritime jurisdiction areas in the Mediterranean.
The agreement established a maritime boundary between the two countries based on Ankara’s interpretation of international maritime law.
Türkiye maintains that its extensive Mediterranean coastline entitles it to maritime jurisdiction areas that should not be disproportionately restricted by Greek islands situated close to the Turkish mainland.
The eastern-based House of Representatives opposed the maritime agreement and questioned the authority of the Tripoli government to conclude it without parliamentary approval.
That opposition became a major point of contention, allowing critics to argue that the agreement lacked the necessary domestic political endorsement in Libya.
The latest parliamentary decision therefore marks a substantial reversal, following years of diplomatic efforts by Türkiye to establish working relationships with Libya’s rival political and military authorities.
Since the collapse of Muammar Gaddafi’s government in 2011, Libya has experienced successive conflicts, rival administrations and competing centres of political authority.
