Memorandum of Understanding Between the Government of the Republic of Turkey and the Government of National Accord-State of Libya on Delimitation of the Maritime Jurisdiction Areas in the Mediterranean

Summary:

Information, reports and analyses concerning a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Turkey and Libya's UN-recognised Government of National Accord (GNA) on maritime boundaries in the Mediterranean Sea.

Further information:

The agreement was signed on 27 November 2019 between Turkish and Libyan authorities. The deal sparked controversy and anger among countries across the eastern Mediterranean region and added to the tension caused by Turkey's drilling activities in the eastern Mediterranean.

Media outlets reported that the MoU allows the two countries to carry out joint exploration operations in the eastern Mediterranean. It also reportedly ignores objections by countries such as Cyprus, Egypt and Greece. The latter's Foreign Ministry decided on 7 December 2019 to expel Libya's ambassador over the signing of the agreement.

The MoU was subject to discussion and concerns were raised by the Council of the European Union on 9 December.

Official

Turkey: Ministry of Foreign Affairs: Press Release, 01/12/2019:, Statement of the Spokesperson of the Ministry of the Foreign Affairs, Mr. Hami Aksoy, in Response to a Question Regarding the Statements Made by Greece and Egypt on the Agreement Signed With Libya on the Maritime Jurisdiction Areas http://www.mfa.gov.tr/sc_-73_-yunanistan-ve-misir-aciklamalari-hk-sc.en.mfa

European Parliament: Question for written answer to High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, 18 December 2019: Consequences of the agreement between Turkey and Libya (GNA) https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/E-9-2019-004522_EN.html

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News

Reuters, 28/11/2019: Turkey signs maritime boundaries deal with Libya amid exploration row https://www.reuters.com/article/idUSKBN1Y213I

The Guardian, 06/12/2019: Greece expels Libyan ambassador in row over maritime boundaries https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/dec/06/greece-expels-libyan-ambassador-row-maritime-boundaries

Euronews, 06/12/2019: Greece to expel Libyan ambassador over sea accord with Turkey https://www.euronews.com/2019/12/06/greece-to-expel-libyan-ambassador-over-sea-accord-with-turkey

Reuters, 09/12/2019: Erdogan: Turkey and Libya can conduct joint explorations in eastern Med https://www.reuters.com/article/us-turkey-libya-erdogan/erdogan-turkey-and-libya-can-conduct-joint-explorations-in-eastern-med-idUSKBN1YD23G

The Washington Post, 09/12/2019: Concerned EU weighs response to Turkey-Libya border deal https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/eu-weighs-response-to-turkey-libya-maritime-border-deal/2019/12/09/704eaab6-1a70-11ea-977a-15a6710ed6da_story.html

EurActiv, 10/12/2019: EU Commission chief vows tough stance on Turkey amid escalating row with Greece https://www.euractiv.com/section/enlargement/news/eu-commission-chief-vows-tough-stance-on-turkey-amid-escalating-row-with-greece/

Reuters, 10/12/2019: Greece says Libya-Turkish deal invalid, in bad faith https://www.reuters.com/article/us-greece-libya-turkey-un/greece-says-libya-turkish-deal-invalid-in-bad-faith-idUSKBN1YE15U

BBC News, 06/01/2020: Libya conflict: Turkey sends troops to shore up UN-backed government https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-51003034

Reuters, 16/01/2020: Erdogan says Turkey starting troop deployment to Libya https://www.reuters.com/article/us-libya-security-turkey/idUSKBN1ZF17K

Kathimerini, 14/05/2020: Turkey to go ahead with drilling as planned in Libya deal https://www.ekathimerini.com/252685/article/ekathimerini/news/turkey-to-go-ahead-with-drilling-as-planned-in-libya-deal

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Commentary and Analysis

Wikipedia: Libya–Turkey relations https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Libya%E2%80%93Turkey_relations

Euractiv, 10/12/2019: Turkey-Libya Mediterranean deal is about energy and extending Ankara’s influence https://www.euractiv.com/section/energy/opinion/turkey-libya-mediterranean-deal-is-about-energy-and-extending-ankaras-influence/

Euro|topics, December 2019: EU criticises Turkish-Libyan maritime border deal https://www.eurotopics.net/en/231403/

Politico, 12/12/2019: Turkey’s Mediterranean claims lead to EU spat https://www.politico.eu/article/turkey-mediterranean-sea-claims-lead-eu-spat/

ECFR: Article, 17/12/2019: Turkey in Libya: Filling the European vacuum https://www.ecfr.eu/article/commentary_turkey_in_libya_filling_the_european_vacuum

Foreign Policy, 23/12/2019: Newly Aggressive Turkey Forges Alliance With Libya https://foreignpolicy.com/2019/12/23/turkey-libya-alliance-aggressive-mideterranean/

Forbes, 08/01/2020: Turkey-Libya Maritime Deal Upsets Mediterranean Energy Plan https://www.forbes.com/sites/arielcohen/2020/01/08/turkey-libya-maritime-deal-upsets-mediterranean-energy-plan/#26c0fc3e6bee

EUObserver, 14/01/2020: Turkey's tightrope could finally snap in Libya https://euobserver.com/opinion/147086

Deutsche Welle, 18/01/2020: Why Turkey's Libya commitment angers Arab nations https://p.dw.com/p/3WPLI

Politico, 18/01/2020: Erdoğan: Road to peace in Libya goes through Turkey https://www.politico.eu/article/road-to-peace-in-libya-goes-through-turkey-khalifa-haftar/

RFE/RL, 21/01/2020: U.S. Vacuum: How Libya Is Descending Into A Russia-Turkey Proxy War https://www.rferl.org/a/u-s-vacuum-how-libya-is-descending-into-a-russia-turkey-proxy-war-/30389900.html

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