Nicosia concerned over 'MoU' signed between Libya and Turkey

Nicosia has expressed concern and skepticism over the signing of the "MoU" between the government of national unity (GNU) of Libya and Turkey in the hydrocarbons field on the basis of the illegitimate Turkish - Libyan "memorandum" of 2019.

According to a press release issued by the Foreign Ministry, "the concern stems from the continuously worsening and destabilizing role which Turkey plays in the region, seeking to create tensions, with actions which are contrary to the international law, the Law of the Sea and its specific aspects."

The Republic of Cyprus reiterates that the "memorandum" of 2019 violates the sovereign rights of third states and is contrary to the recognized principle of the Law of the Sea Convention and the customary law for the rights of islands in their EEZ and continental shelf, the Foreign Ministry added.

As a result, it is illegal, void and non-existent and does not produce, in any way, any legal results towards third countries, it said.

The Foreign Ministry also said that it will continue to follow closely the developments on this issue, noting at the same time the public statements of the President of the Libyan Parliament, "which highlight the illegitimate nature of the 'memorandum' which becomes legally and politically void."