Libya ratifies maritime deal with Turkey despite Greek and Cypriot opposition

On Tuesday, the Libyan House of Representatives ratified a maritime boundary agreement with Turkey, a move that has drawn strong condemnation from Greece and the Republic of Cyprus. The agreement, which was initially criticized when first proposed, is viewed by Athens and Nicosia as a violation of international law and a challenge to their sovereign rights in the eastern Mediterranean.

Greek Foreign Minister Giorgos Gerapetritis stated on Wednesday that the memorandum remains invalid and will not be implemented regardless of the ratification. During a radio interview, he emphasized that the agreement lacks legal or political value, noting that Greece is prepared to leverage diplomatic tools, including EU funding programs for Libya and Turkey's EU accession process, to address the matter. Meanwhile, Greek MEP Elissavet Vozemberg-Vrionidi condemned the decision at the European Parliament, while Turkish Cypriot official Tahsin Ertugruloglu praised the ratification as a positive development.

Greece maintains a firm stance against the agreement, with Gerapetritis clarifying that Athens will not act impulsively regarding territorial water extensions south of Crete. The international community, led by EU officials, has previously expressed concerns over the agreement's potential to undermine stability in the region.