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The Libyan government has officially filed a complaint with the United Nations against Greece, accusing Athens of violating its maritime sovereignty in the eastern Mediterranean, Türkiye Daily reports.
This marks the first time Libya has referred to its 2019 maritime agreement with Türkiye in a formal international complaint.
According to Tripoli, Greece’s recent move to issue exploration licenses in contested areas south of Crete—as published in the EU’s Official Journal on June 12—constitutes a “clear violation” of international law and the U.N. Convention on the Law of the Sea.
Libya denounced Greece’s unilateral actions in areas where maritime boundaries remain unresolved, stating that such moves threaten regional stability and peace in the Mediterranean.
The complaint urged the international community and the UN to avoid escalating tensions and reaffirmed Libya’s commitment to constructive dialogue and negotiations. It stressed that Tripoli would oppose any actions imposed as a fait accompli.
In its complaint, Libya referred to the maritime boundary memorandum it signed with Türkiye in 2019, which defined exclusive economic zones between the two countries.
The agreement drew criticism from Greece and some EU states, but remains central to Türkiye’s strategy in the region.
The boundary established under the deal lies approximately 45 nautical miles from the Greek island of Crete, covering areas considered rich in natural gas reserves.
While Türkiye maintains close ties with the Tripoli-based government, recent diplomatic contacts have extended to the rival eastern administration.
In April 2025, Saddam Haftar, commander of the Libyan National Army's ground forces, held meetings in Ankara. Earlier, in December 2023, Speaker of the House of Representatives Aguila Saleh visited Türkiye and met with Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan.
Libya’s eastern-based parliament is reportedly preparing to reapprove the Türkiye-Libya maritime deal, six years after its initial signing—a move that could further entrench Ankara’s position in the eastern Mediterranean.
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