The European Union has reiterated its opposition to the maritime memorandum of understanding signed between Turkey and Libya, stressing that it violates international law and undermines regional stability in the eastern Mediterranean.
In remarks delivered by the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas, the bloc underlined its “strategic interest” in safeguarding peace and stability in the eastern Mediterranean, while emphasising the importance of respecting the sovereignty of all EU member states.
Kallas made clear that the EU expects third countries, including Turkey and Libya, to act in line with international law and the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). She stressed that refraining from unilateral actions which contravene EU interests and breach the sovereign rights of its member states was a fundamental precondition for maintaining security in the region.
The European Council has previously declared that the Turkey-Libya maritime memorandum, signed in 2019, “violates the sovereign rights of third states, is not in accordance with customary law of the sea, and cannot produce legal consequences for third countries.” The deal, which delineates maritime boundaries between Ankara and Tripoli, has been strongly rejected by Greece and Cyprus, both of which argue it disregards their exclusive economic zones.
The EU’s position, reaffirmed again in June 2025, is that maritime disputes must be resolved peacefully through good faith negotiations and full respect for international law. Kallas reiterated that international law, particularly UNCLOS, provides the legitimate framework for resolving such disputes and that any attempts to impose maritime boundaries unilaterally will not be recognised by the Union.
The EU continues to call for dialogue and diplomatic engagement to prevent further tensions in the eastern Mediterranean.
