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Turkish Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Oncu Keceli issued a statement criticizing the conclusions adopted at the European Union Leaders’ Summit on June 26, claiming they reflect ongoing efforts by Greece and the Greek Cypriot Administration (GCA) to impose their "maximalist" maritime claims on the EU, contrary to international law and the principle of equity.
In a statement posted on his official social media account, Keceli said, "The conclusions adopted at the European Union Leaders' Summit held on 26 June demonstrate that Greece and the GCA continue their efforts to impose maximalist claims that are contrary to international law and the principle of equity on the EU." .
Keceli reiterated the legitimacy of the 2019 Memorandum of Understanding between Türkiye and Libya concerning the delimitation of maritime jurisdiction areas in the Eastern Mediterranean, describing it as fully consistent with international law.
"The Türkiye-Libya Memorandum of Understanding, signed in 2019 on the delimitation of maritime jurisdiction areas in the Eastern Mediterranean, is a lawful agreement that clearly shows Türkiye will not allow its legitimate rights and interests to be violated," Keceli stated.
He criticized the EU for making biased political statements on complex legal and technical matters such as maritime delimitation.
"The EU’s partisan statements, driven by political motives, on sensitive issues such as maritime delimitation — which have legal and technical dimensions — do not contribute to regional peace and stability," he noted.
Turkish Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Keceli concluded by urging the EU to respect international law rather than endorsing legally invalid claims, stating, "The EU should call on all its members to comply with international law rather than adopting legally baseless claims."
"Türkiye will continue to defend its legitimate rights and interests in the Eastern Mediterranean in accordance with international law," he noted.
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In its official conclusions, the European Council stated, "The European Council addressed the worrying situation in Libya, and its possible consequences also in terms of European security, as well as concerning migratory flows."
"The European Council recalls that the Türkiye-Libya Memorandum of Understanding on the delimitation of maritime jurisdictions in the Mediterranean Sea infringes upon the sovereign rights of third States, does not comply with the Law of the Sea and cannot produce any legal consequences for third States," EU said in its conclusion for the European Council meeting.
The Council also addressed the situation in Libya and reaffirmed support for the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL), calling for national reconciliation and inclusive dialogue based on Libyan ownership.
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