The Libyan House of Representatives approved the agreement on the delimitation of maritime jurisdiction signed in 2019 between Turkey and Libya after seven years. This agreement is recognized as a new equation in the ongoing competitions in the Eastern Mediterranean, which may have profound impacts on regional relations, especially between Turkey, Greece, and neighboring countries.
Recent Developments in Libya-Turkey Relations
Turkey views this agreement as a tool to strengthen its position against Greece in the Eastern Mediterranean. For this reason, Greece is expected to take new actions, particularly regarding the registration of the continental shelf of the island of Crete and drilling activities in the region following this decision by Libya. Recent developments in Turkey-Libya relations are also being closely monitored by the Republic of Cyprus and Egypt.
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The agreement on the delimitation of maritime jurisdiction between Ankara and Tripoli was signed at the height of tensions with Greece and Egypt and faced widespread opposition from these countries as well as the European Union. Since then, the Libyan House of Representatives had declared this agreement invalid due to its non-approval in parliament.
Consequences of the Agreement's Approval for Greece and Other Countries
Now, with the re-approval of this agreement, the boundaries of maritime jurisdiction between Turkey and Libya have been registered, and this issue has become challenging for Greece and other countries, especially the Republic of Cyprus and Egypt. One of Greece's main concerns is the expansion of its maritime division areas at the expense of Libya and Turkey. Given that both Turkey and Libya are seeking to strengthen their legal positions and maritime borders, this agreement could fuel further tensions in the region.
Additionally, in light of this agreement, it is expected that Turkey's oil company will begin drilling activities in Libyan waters, which will also provoke strong reactions from Greece and the Republic of Cyprus. Greece is trying to respond to this challenge by accelerating hydrocarbon exploration activities south of the island of Crete.
Meanwhile, the meeting of the foreign ministers of Greece and Egypt immediately after the approval of the agreement in the Libyan House of Representatives is seen as a message of coordination between the two countries for future actions. This comes as Greece and the Republic of Cyprus have been trying for the past decade to strengthen their position in the global market through the "Eastern Mediterranean Gas Forum" by cooperating in the energy sector.
Turkey, which has been excluded from the energy cooperation mechanisms among Greece, the Republic of Cyprus, Egypt, and Israel, has initiated an important geopolitical counteroffensive with this maritime agreement. Ankara believes that this agreement not only benefits Turkey but also serves Libya's interests and prevents the illegal expansion of the continental shelf stemming from the island of Crete.
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