OMM Newsroom
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has rejected European criticism of the maritime agreement between Turkey and Libya, saying objections to the deal have no legal basis.
Erdogan defended the 2019 agreement after a cabinet meeting on Monday. The deal defines maritime boundaries between Turkey and Libya in the eastern Mediterranean. Competition over territorial claims and potential energy resources has fueled tensions in the region. Erdogan outlined Turkey’s position, AnewZ reports.
“We are not trying to score points against anyone in the eastern Mediterranean,” Erdogan said, stressing that Ankara’s main priority was to protect its maritime rights and interests.
He urged countries seeking to exclude Turkey from the region to respect the will of Ankara and Tripoli.
Erdogan’s remarks came after Libya’s eastern-based parliament ratified the agreement last week, marking a significant shift after years of opposition. The deal was signed in 2019 between Turkey and the Libyan government based in Tripoli.
Egypt, Bahrain and UAE also condemn the deal
On Tuesday, Egypt, Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates joined Greece in condemning the agreement. The countries said it threatened regional security and violated international maritime law.
The four countries said the deal disregarded the maritime rights of eastern Mediterranean states. Disputes over territorial waters and exclusive economic zones have persisted in the region for years.
The European Union has also rejected the agreement, saying it violates maritime law and infringes on the sovereign rights of other countries.
Greece says the boundaries set out in the agreement fail to recognize the maritime rights of Greek islands, particularly Crete, which lies between Turkey and Libya.
Turkey expands ties with eastern Libya
Libya has been politically divided between rival administrations since the 2011 overthrow of longtime leader Muammar Gaddafi.
Turkey has long supported the Libyan government based in Tripoli. Ankara provided military assistance in 2019 and 2020 as forces loyal to eastern commander Khalifa Haftar launched an offensive.
Ankara later expanded its diplomatic ties with eastern Libya. Parliament’s ratification of the agreement marked a significant step in Turkey’s relations with the North African country.
