Greece and EU condemn Libyan parliament's ratification of Turkey-Libya maritime memorandum

On October 20, 2026, the Libyan House of Representatives ratified the 2019 memorandum of understanding between Turkey and Libya concerning the delimitation of maritime jurisdiction zones in the Mediterranean Sea. In response, Greek Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis declared the memorandum invalid, emphasizing that it lacks legal standing and will not be implemented under any circumstances. Gerapetritis stated that Greece remains committed to international law and national sovereignty, noting that the agreement was reached outside of established legal frameworks.

Simultaneously, the European Union, representing all 27 member states, issued a formal statement through High Representative Kaja Kallas expressing deep dissatisfaction with the ratification. The EU reaffirmed its long-standing position, originally established in December 2019 and confirmed in June 2025, that the agreement violates the sovereign rights of third states and fails to comply with the Law of the Sea.

Following instructions from Minister Gerapetritis, Greece’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Aglaia Balta, raised the issue during closed-door consultations at the UN Security Council. She warned that the decision poses risks to regional stability and urged for an end to foreign interference in Libya. This marks the first time the matter has been discussed directly at the Security Council level.