Turkey-Libya Maritime Agreement: All You Need to Know

In November 2019, Turkey and Libya signed a maritime agreement that sparked controversy in the Mediterranean region and beyond. The deal aims to delimitate the economic zones of Turkey and Libya, potentially giving Turkey greater access to the Mediterranean Sea. But what are the details of the agreement, and why is it so controversial?

What is the Turkey-Libya Maritime Agreement?

The Turkey-Libya Maritime Agreement is a bilateral agreement signed by Turkey and Libya on November 27, 2019. The deal aims to delimitate the exclusive economic zones (EEZs) of both countries in the Mediterranean Sea. An EEZ is an area where a country has special rights over the exploration and use of marine resources, such as oil and gas. The deal grants Turkey the right to drill for oil and gas in an area of the Mediterranean that is also claimed by Cyprus and Greece.

What are the key points of the agreement?

The key points of the agreement are as follows:

– It delimits the maritime boundaries between Turkey and Libya in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea.

– It defines the coordinates of the maritime jurisdiction area.

– It allows for the joint exploration and exploitation of hydrocarbon resources in the designated area.

– It allows Turkey to send military and security personnel to Libya to support the Libyan government against the Libyan National Army (LNA).

– It recognizes the legitimacy of the Government of National Accord (GNA), which is backed by Turkey, as the only legitimate government of Libya.

Why is the agreement controversial?

The Turkey-Libya Maritime Agreement is controversial for several reasons. Firstly, it ignores the maritime boundaries of other countries in the region, such as Greece and Cyprus, which claim that the agreement infringes on their own EEZs. Secondly, it challenges the existing framework of international maritime law, which should be based on the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). Thirdly, it puts Turkey at odds with other regional powers, such as Egypt, Israel, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), which see Turkey`s growing influence in the Eastern Mediterranean as a threat to their own interests.

What are the implications of the agreement?

The Turkey-Libya Maritime Agreement has significant implications for the Eastern Mediterranean region and beyond. It could lead to increased tensions between Turkey and other regional powers, as well as with the European Union (EU), which has already condemned the agreement. It could also lead to further destabilization in Libya, where the GNA is fighting against the LNA. Moreover, it could affect the exploration and development of hydrocarbon resources in the region, with potential consequences for energy security in Europe.

In conclusion, the Turkey-Libya Maritime Agreement is a contentious issue that has led to diplomatic tensions in the Eastern Mediterranean. Its implications are far-reaching, and it remains to be seen how it will affect the region in the long term. While Turkey and Libya maintain that the agreement is necessary for their mutual interests, it is clear that it has created a new fault line in the complex geopolitical landscape of the Eastern Mediterranean.