On Saturday, the European Parliament (EU) called on Libya and Turkey “not to implement any clause” included in the two countries’ bilateral agreement on hydrocarbons, which was signed in Tripoli earlier this month.
This was reported in a series of recommendations about Libya, which was approved by the European Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee on Thursday. The recommendations are intended for the European Commission, European Union (EU) member states in the Council, and EU Foreign Policy Chief, Josep Borrell.
According to the EU parliamentary committee, the Libya-Turkey hydrocarbons agreement “foresees illegal drilling activities in other countries’ exclusive economic zones, including those of Cyprus and Greece.”
The hydrocarbons deal, signed by Foreign Ministers of Turkey and Libya’s Government of National Unity (GNU), sparked strong opposition from Greece and Egypt and criticism from the EU and the United States (US).
The deal is in fact based on the agreement for the demarcation of maritime borders signed in November 2019 in Istanbul by the former Libyan Government of National Accord (GNA) and Turkey, which violates the maritime rights of third countries such as Greece and Egypt.
In their recommendations to EU top diplomats, members of the European Parliament urged the Libyan authorities to cancel the 2019 Turkey – Libya Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on the delimitation of maritime jurisdictions in the Mediterranean Sea.
The Members of European Parliament (MEPs) called on the EU to support Libya in “uniting itself through a proper constitutional reform process” and “step up its diplomatic efforts to restore peace and security in the country.”
“To do this, member states must act in a more unified manner and speak with one voice when it comes to Libya, avoiding the scattered approaches of the past,” they added.
In addition, the MEPs called for the withdrawal of all mercenaries, and foreign fighters from Libyan territory. They urge all international actors involved not to interfere in Libya and to refrain from fuelling tensions through direct and sponsored military interventions.
“Libya is a war-torn country facing an institutional, economic and social crisis that severely hampers the process of national reconciliation and exasperates the Libyan people.
Libyans should be able to decide their own future, free from external interference.
A peaceful and democratic Libya could be an important partner for the EU, but peace and democracy will not last if the respect for the rule of law, and accountability for those who have committed human rights violations, are not guaranteed,” rapporteur Giuliano Pisapia said after the vote.