Libya’s House of Representatives is preparing to vote on the controversial maritime border agreement signed with Turkey in 2019, nearly six years after it was first signed and left unratified.
The maritime Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), signed by then-Prime Minister Fayez al-Sarraj and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, seeks to establish exclusive economic zones (EEZ) in the eastern Mediterranean. Greece and the European Union have rejected the deal, calling it an infringement on Greek maritime sovereignty.
Libyan MP Abdel Moneim Al-Arfi told Al-Jazeera Network that the Libyan Parliament is moving towards ratification, with discussions focused on revising clauses such as the requirement for Turkey’s pre-approval on international energy contracts.
Meanwhile, European pressure is mounting to deter Libya from legally endorsing the agreement. MP Rabia Bouras acknowledged these external efforts but said technical committees continue reviewing the text and drafting an executive protocol, in coordination with Egypt and Turkey.
According to researcher Ahmed Al-Aboud, Libya previously held several negotiation rounds with both Turkey and Greece but saw no progress. He noted that Greece’s reliance on island-based maritime claims could cut into Libya’s waters, whereas the Turkish-Libyan deal aligns more closely with the UN Law of the Sea principles, favouring Libya’s maritime reach.
The agreement remains a political fault line within Libya. MP Saleh Fahima said endorsing the deal could end internal divisions between the east and west governments. Others, like MP Ali Al-Soul, argue it should be approved only if it aligns with Libya’s national interest.
Turkey has already begun implementing parts of the agreement. A June 2025 memorandum between Turkish Petroleum and Libya’s National Oil Corporation allows joint seismic surveys in the disputed waters. This sparked protests from Greece and renewed EU criticism.
Turkey’s foreign ministry insists the agreement complies with international law and that it protects Ankara’s legitimate rights in the Mediterranean. Analysts say that if Libya ratifies the deal, Turkey gains political and legal leverage while challenging EU narratives on eastern Mediterranean energy routes.
However, experts warn that full ratification could inflame tensions with the EU and deepen regional polarisation over maritime boundaries.
