Libya’s eastern-based parliament has unanimously approved its 2019 maritime boundary agreement with Turkiye, reversing earlier opposition. Ankara welcomed the move, while Greece challenged the agreement’s legality.
Turkiye has welcomed Libya’s parliamentary approval of a 2019 maritime boundary agreement between the two countries, describing the decision as an important step towards strengthening bilateral relations and protecting their shared interests in the Eastern Mediterranean. The approval by Libya’s eastern-based House of Representatives could also create opportunities for closer regional cooperation, including discussions related to maritime rights and energy resources.
Libya’s House of Representatives unanimously approved the memorandum of understanding (MoU) on the delimitation of maritime jurisdiction areas between Turkiye and Libya. The agreement was originally signed in November 2019 by Turkiye and Libya’s then United Nations-recognised Government of National Accord.
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Turkiye’s Presidential Communications Director Burhanettin Duran welcomed the decision, saying it would help safeguard the two countries’ common interests and support equitable maritime boundary arrangements. Turkiye’s Foreign Ministry also described the approval as a positive development for bilateral cooperation, reiterating Ankara’s stated commitment to international law, regional stability and peace in the Mediterranean.
The parliamentary vote reversed Libya’s earlier position on the agreement. Lawmakers also repealed two resolutions adopted in 2020, including one rejecting the memorandums signed with Turkiye and another calling for political relations with Ankara to be severed. The move signals a shift in the eastern parliament’s approach to relations with Turkiye.
The maritime agreement defines areas of jurisdiction between the two countries in the Mediterranean, where overlapping maritime claims and potential oil and natural gas resources have been a source of regional disagreement. Its approval could support further discussions on maritime cooperation and energy exploration, although specific future projects will depend on additional arrangements and negotiations.
However, the agreement remains contentious internationally. Greece has rejected the deal, arguing that it violates international maritime law and infringes on the sovereign rights of other states in the region. The dispute reflects wider disagreements over maritime boundaries, territorial waters and access to potential energy resources in the Eastern Mediterranean.
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The approval marks a significant development in Turkiye-Libya relations, particularly as Libya continues to navigate divisions between rival political authorities in the east and west. While officials from both sides of Libya’s political divide have welcomed the decision, the agreement’s wider implications will depend on its implementation and how regional governments address competing maritime claims.