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Libyan maritime boundary disputes and diplomacy

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2026-10-23 06:37 UTC → 2026-10-23 06:51 UTC · added ~~removed~~

Tensions regarding maritime boundaries in the Eastern Mediterranean have evolved through shifting diplomatic stances in Libya. Greece has officially rejected Libyan maritime claims, clarifying that it adheres to the median line principle under international law and maintains that participating in bilateral dialogues regarding Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZ) does not constitute acceptance of unilateral claims from Tripoli. In a significant geopolitical shift, the Libyan House of Representatives—based in eastern Libya and under the control of Khalifa Haftar—has unanimously ratified the 2019 maritime boundary memorandum with Turkey. This decision effectively rescinds a 2020 parliamentary decision that had boycotted the agreement and declared it legally void. By ratifying the memorandum, lawmakers have also canceled Decision No. 6 of 2020, which had called for the severance of political relations with Ankara. This move provides Turkey with institutional legitimacy for its maritime claims through the eastern Libyan political establishment, despite ongoing challenges from Greece, Cyprus, and Egypt. ~~Turkey has welcomed~~ In response to the ratification, ~~with Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan describing~~ Greek officials have denounced the memorandum as ~~“completely legitimate” from both legal and political perspectives. Conversely, Greece has condemned the agreement as “forged” and “null~~ “illegal and void,” ~~while Egypt rejected the move,~~ with Deputy Foreign Minister Tasos Chatzivasileiou stating it ~~infringes upon its sovereign rights. The European Union and Germany have also expressed support for the positions of Greece and Cyprus, asserting~~ “produces no legal results.” Government spokesperson Pavlos Marinakis added that the agreement ~~violates the sovereign rights of third states and does not comply with~~ is “unsubstantiated” according to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). ~~In response to~~ To counter the ~~Libyan ratification,~~ memorandum, Greece and Egypt have agreed to resume consultations to expand their 2020 EEZ delimitation agreement. Following discussions between Greek Foreign Minister Giorgos Gerogretis and Egyptian counterpart Badr Abdelatty, the two nations aim to extend the geographic scope of their existing ~~boundaries.~~ boundaries, specifically addressing areas east of the 28th meridian, including the waters around Kastellorizo.

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