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Cyprus has joined Greece, the European Union and three Arab countries in rejecting a disputed maritime agreement between Turkey and Libya, warning that its ratification by Libya’s parliament could undermine regional stability.
In a joint statement presented to the United Nations, the group said the 2019 agreement ignores the maritime rights of other countries and remains invalid despite the recent vote by Libya’s House of Representatives.
The statement was delivered by Greek Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis on behalf of Greece, Cyprus, Egypt, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates and the EU.
What is the dispute about?
The agreement concerns the delimitation of maritime zones—essentially, where countries draw the boundaries of areas at sea in which they claim certain rights. Those rights can include exploring for natural resources beneath the seabed.
Greece and its partners argue that the Turkey-Libya deal disregards geography and the rights of islands under the U.N. Convention on the Law of the Sea. They say it cannot establish maritime boundaries that affect other countries.
Turkey and Libya have supported the agreement, which has been disputed by Greece since it was signed.
In the joint statement, Gerapetritis warned that accepting agreements that disregard international law could set a dangerous precedent and make it harder to settle disputes peacefully.
Why it matters to Cyprus
The dispute is part of a wider disagreement over maritime boundaries and energy resources in the eastern Mediterranean, a region where Cyprus has its own offshore gas discoveries and partnerships with neighboring countries.
The statement also comes as governments in the region weigh energy projects and cooperation at sea. For Cyprus, the way maritime boundaries are recognized can affect where countries and companies explore for resources and how neighboring states manage competing claims.
The group said it supported the reunification of Libya’s divided institutions and a peaceful political transition. Greece also said it remained ready to continue talks with Libya on maritime boundaries in line with international law.
