The Eastern Parliament of Libya approved an agreement regarding maritime borders with Turkey on October 20, 2023, which immediately led to a strong reaction from Greece. This agreement has been described by Athens as a violation of international law and has raised concerns about the sovereign rights of neighboring countries.
Details of the Agreement and Reactions
The agreement is part of an old dispute over conflicting claims regarding maritime borders and energy exploration rights in the eastern Mediterranean Sea. This agreement was initially signed in 2019 by the internationally recognized government in Tripoli, the western capital of Libya, but the rival eastern government led by Khalifa Haftar had refrained from endorsing it for years.
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Greece, Egypt, and Cyprus are strongly opposed to this agreement and consider it a threat to their maritime claims. The Greek Foreign Ministry stated in a statement that this agreement is "illegal, void, and a violation of the sovereign rights of the countries in the region," and called on Libya to refrain from any actions that would undermine stability in the eastern Mediterranean.
Turkey's Response and Dimensions of Relations
The Turkish Foreign Ministry welcomed the decision of the Libyan Parliament, stating that this agreement respects the rights and mutual interests of both countries under international law and principles of justice. The ministry also emphasized Turkey's determination to cooperate with all partners to ensure security, stability, and peace in the Mediterranean region.
Turkey and Libya's relations have improved in recent years, with Turkish officials regularly visiting Benghazi, Haftar's unofficial capital, and investing in various sectors such as construction. In this context, the Eastern Parliament of Libya also decided in its recent session to lift the suspension of political relations with Ankara, indicating a change in the existing political atmosphere.
Saadi Haftar, Khalifa Haftar's deputy, welcomed the approval of this agreement, describing it as "a tool for protecting Libya's rights and economic interests in the Mediterranean Sea." Additionally, Libyan representative Tarek Al-Jaroushi stated that this agreement will strengthen Libya's position as a political, military, and economic partner of major powers.
According to Jalil Harachoui, an expert at the Royal United Services Institute, the approval of this agreement could pave the way for a broader Turkish military presence in eastern Libya and turn this vote into a turning point.
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