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The legal validity of Türkiye's 2019 maritime agreement with Libya cannot be removed by the "unilateral assessments of third parties," Türkiye's Ministry of National Defense (MoND) said Thursday, responding to statements by the European Union (EU) and Greece after Libya's parliament approved the deal.
"The delimitation of maritime jurisdiction areas falls within the sovereign rights of the relevant coastal states, and the legal validity of the memorandum cannot be eliminated by the unilateral assessments of third parties," the ministry said after its weekly press briefing.
"We welcome the approval on Oct. 20, 2026, by the Libyan House of Representatives of the Memorandum of Understanding on the Delimitation of Maritime Jurisdiction Areas, signed between Türkiye and Libya in 2019 and in force," the ministry said.
"The decision confirms the validity of the memorandum signed on the basis of international law and equity principles and strengthens strategic cooperation between the two countries," the ministry noted.
The agreement "was signed on the basis of international law and equity principles, taking into account the legitimate rights and interests of both countries," it said, adding, "Our country will continue to protect our legitimate rights and interests in the Eastern Mediterranean within the framework of international law."
"We thank the Libyan officials who showed will in taking this decision," ministry spokesperson Rear Adm. Zeki Akturk said, adding that Türkiye supports the goal of "a single and unified Libya" bringing together the country’s east and west.
The ministry said the Libya vote, together with the Mecca Defense Alliance and the Badr memorandum, is a "concrete indicator of our country’s international effectiveness and strategic cooperation."
Türkiye, Qatar, Indonesia and Pakistan signed the Badr memorandum in Doha on Oct. 21, aiming to launch joint defense industry projects, boost research and development, strengthen supply chains and develop co-production capacity, the ministry said.
Defense Minister Yasar Guler and Defense Industry Agency head Haluk Gorgun signed on behalf of Türkiye, alongside Qatar’s Sheikh Saud bin Abdulrahman bin Hasan Al Thani, Indonesian Deputy Defense Minister Yusuf Jauhari, and Pakistani Defense Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif.
An Executive Board will identify joint projects, while a Strategic Board will set timelines and approve them.
"Work continues on the procurement of Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft from Qatar to meet our Air Force Command’s operational needs," the ministry said.
Delegations met in August and September to discuss the scope of aircraft and munitions, pilot and maintenance training, and sustainment support.
"Qatar is expected to prepare and send the draft training program and sales contract to our country," the ministry noted.
Türkiye signed a deal with Britain in October 2025 for 20 new Eurofighter Typhoons, with first deliveries expected in 2030, and has been negotiating to buy used jets from Qatar and Oman to fill the gap.
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