European Union reacts to Turkey-Libya maritime jurisdiction areas memorandum
The Libyan House of Representatives unanimously approved the 2019 Turkey-Libya maritime jurisdiction memorandum of understanding. While the EU and Greece reacted to the parliamentary decision revoking the rejection decisions made in 2020, Turkey welcomed the decision.
The House of Representatives, based in Benghazi in eastern Libya, unanimously approved the memorandum of understanding on the delimitation of maritime jurisdiction areas signed with Turkey on November 27, 2019, during its session held on October 20, 2026. The parliament also repealed its decisions made in 2020 regarding the rejection of the agreement and the severance of political relations with Turkey.
Parliamentary Spokesperson Abdullah Blihak announced that decisions numbered 1 and 6 of 2020 have been repealed. Saddam Haftar evaluated the decision as a step towards overcoming past disagreements. The memorandum, registered with the United Nations on December 11, 2019, was welcomed by the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs as being in compliance with international law and the principles of equity.
European Council President António Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen stated in their joint statement dated October 21, 2026, that the EU's stance, ongoing since 2019, has not changed, arguing that the agreement violates the sovereign rights of third states and is invalid. The Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs also rejected the decision, stating that geography cannot be changed by parliamentary decisions and that Athens will take the necessary steps to protect its sovereign rights.