Close
newsletters Newsletters
X Instagram Youtube

Libya warns Greece over ‘interference’ in maritime deal with Türkiye

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun signed the maritime border demarcation agreement with Greek Cypriot leader Nikos Christodoulides in Beirut, Lebanon on Nov. 26, 2025. (Photo via X/Christodulides)
Photo
BigPhoto
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun signed the maritime border demarcation agreement with Greek Cypriot leader Nikos Christodoulides in Beirut, Lebanon on Nov. 26, 2025. (Photo via X/Christodulides)
December 08, 2025 01:24 PM GMT+03:00

Libya’s House of Representatives strongly criticized Greece after its officials renewed calls for the cancellation of the 2019 Türkiye–Libya maritime jurisdiction memorandum, urging Athens to “respect Libya’s sovereignty and cease interfering in its internal affairs.”

In a statement published on the parliament’s official website, Deputy Speaker Misbah Duma condemned remarks by Greek Parliament Speaker Nikitas Michail Kaklamanis, who had asked Libya’s legislature not to ratify the agreement and called for its annulment.

The statement said Libyan authorities viewed “with astonishment and regret” the repeated calls from Greek officials, describing them as a clear violation of Libya’s national sovereignty.

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun signed the maritime border demarcation agreement with Greek Cypriot leader Nikos Christodoulides in Beirut, Lebanon on Nov. 26, 2025. (Photo via X/Christodulides)
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun signed the maritime border demarcation agreement with Greek Cypriot leader Nikos Christodoulides in Beirut, Lebanon on Nov. 26, 2025. (Photo via X/Christodulides)

'Agreements are sovereign decisions'

The parliament stressed that Libya is a fully sovereign state and rejects any attempt by external actors to dictate its decisions.

“Agreements concluded by the state are sovereign decisions governed by international law and norms, and no country has the right to order Libya to approve or cancel them,” the statement read.

It added that Libya’s decisions stem from its legitimate institutions representing the Libyan people, and “do not require instructions from any other country.”

The parliament also emphasized that maritime boundary disputes must be resolved through international legal frameworks, not through “media statements lacking diplomatic substance.”

It called on Greece to exercise restraint and stop attempts to interfere in Libya’s domestic affairs.

Transport and Infrastructure Minister Abdulkadir Uraloglu (right) displays one of two agreements signed between Türkiye and Oman during the International Maritime Organizations 34th General Assembly meeting in London, United Kingdom on Nov. 25, 2025. (AA Photo)
Transport and Infrastructure Minister Abdulkadir Uraloglu (right) displays one of two agreements signed between Türkiye and Oman during the International Maritime Organizations 34th General Assembly meeting in London, United Kingdom on Nov. 25, 2025. (AA Photo)

Greek position outlined in policy speech

The developments come as Greek Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis delivered remarks at the Athens Policy Dialogues conference, where he reiterated Greece’s commitment to international law, including maritime law, and noted ongoing engagement with Türkiye and Libya within a broader regional stabilization strategy.

Gerapetritis said Greece maintains open channels of communication with both sides in Libya despite its “disagreement” over the Türkiye–Libya memorandum, and highlighted Athens’ efforts to reduce migration flows and promote dialogue in the Eastern Mediterranean.

He reaffirmed Greece’s diplomatic priorities: consolidating regional stability, strengthening national positions through alliances, and advancing multilateral cooperation, including a proposed regional structure for Eastern Mediterranean states, which could involve Türkiye and Libya if they adhere to international law and respect state sovereignty.

December 08, 2025 01:25 PM GMT+03:00
More From Türkiye Today