Libyan parliament ratifies contested 2019 maritime agreement with Turkey

On October 20, 2026, the Libyan House of Representatives, based in the east, unanimously ratified the 2019 memorandum of understanding regarding the delimitation of maritime zones with Turkey. This decision reverses years of parliamentary opposition to the deal, which was originally signed by the Tripoli-based Government of National Accord. The move is viewed by analysts as a strategic maneuver by the Haftar family to secure Turkish support for their political ambitions, with reports indicating that the legislature also repealed two 2020 resolutions that had previously rejected the agreement and called for severed ties with Ankara.

Greece, Cyprus, and the European Union have strongly condemned the ratification, describing the memorandum as null, void, and a violation of international maritime law. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Antonio Costa reaffirmed their solidarity with Athens and Nicosia, stressing that the EU's 2019 position remains unchanged. The Greek Foreign Ministry characterized the decision as legally unfounded, noting that Turkey and Libya lack opposite or adjacent coastlines to justify the boundary claims.

In response, Greece has initiated intense diplomatic consultations, with Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis speaking to his counterparts in Cyprus and Egypt to address regional stability. Meanwhile, Turkey has officially welcomed the ratification, with Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan engaging in separate communications with Libyan officials to express his government's satisfaction with the move.