Diplomatic tension escalates following ratification of the Turkey-Libya memorandum

On October 20, 2026, the Libyan House of Representatives ratified the 2019 memorandum of understanding with Turkey concerning the delimitation of maritime jurisdictions in the Mediterranean Sea. This move has triggered a strong reaction from Greece, with Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis declaring the agreement invalid and non-implementable under any circumstances. Gerapetritis stated that Greece is actively addressing the issue, including raising it during closed-door consultations at the UN Security Council through Greece's Permanent Representative, Ambassador Aglaia Balta.

The European Union, represented by the 27 member states and Commissioner Dubravka Suica, formally condemned the ratification, labeling it "null and void" and stating it violates the sovereign rights of third countries. Conversely, the Turkish Ministry of Defense expressed satisfaction with the Libyan decision, asserting that the agreement remains legally binding and rejecting criticism from the EU and Greece. Meanwhile, the United States Department of State has refrained from taking a definitive position on the legality of the document, instead encouraging Greece and Turkey to resolve their maritime disputes through good-faith bilateral negotiations as NATO allies.