The Turkey-Libya Memorandum of Understanding of 2019 violates the sovereign rights of third countries, does not comply with the Law of the Sea and cannot have legal consequences for third countries, the Commission’s Spokesperson for Foreign Affairs, Peter Stano, emphasizes in a written statement. The said statement was made following the announcements (on Monday 3/10) about the signing of a “memorandum of cooperation” between the two countries and underlines that actions that could undermine regional stability must be avoided.

In particular, Mr. Stano notes that the European Union is documenting reports that Turkey and the Libyan Government of National Accord have signed an agreement on hydrocarbons based on the 2019 Turkey-Libya Memorandum of Understanding on the delimitation of areas of maritime jurisdiction in the Mediterranean.

He adds that the EU recalls that its position on this Memorandum has been clearly stated by the European Council in December 2019 and remains unchanged: The Turkey-Libya Memorandum of Understanding of 2019 violates the sovereign rights of third countries, does not comply with the Law of the Sea and cannot have legal consequences for third countries.

Finally, it states that the new agreement has not yet been made public. Further clarifications are required on its content. Actions that could undermine regional stability must be avoided.

Source: AMNA

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