Gerapetritis says Turkey-Libya maritime deal remains invalid after ratification
Greece’s foreign minister says Libya’s ratification gives the maritime agreement no legal or political weight, as EU leaders reaffirm support for Greece and Cyprus.
Athens, Greece. Greek Foreign Minister Giorgos Gerapetritis said on Wednesday that the maritime memorandum between Turkey and Libya remained invalid and would not be put into effect, despite Tuesday’s ratification by Libya’s House of Representatives.
Athens outlines its response
In an interview with Mega radio, Gerapetritis argued that ratification gave the memorandum no additional political or legal weight. He said Turkey and Libya had acted outside the established legal framework and would face the consequences.
“The memorandum will not be implemented under any circumstances,” he said.
Discussing Athens’ next steps, the minister cited earlier remarks on the issue from European Council President Antonio Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. He also highlighted Greece’s involvement in EU programmes funding Libya and in Turkey’s EU accession process as sources of diplomatic leverage.
Asked about a possible extension of Greek territorial waters south of Crete, Gerapetritis said Athens would avoid hasty action, stressing that the government followed a plan rather than responding impulsively.
EU leaders reaffirm support
Costa and von der Leyen issued a joint statement after Tuesday’s ratification, reiterating EU solidarity with Cyprus and Greece and expressing deep regret at the Libyan parliament’s decision.
They said the EU’s stance had not changed since the European Council established it in 2019.
“The agreement infringes upon the sovereign rights of third states, does not comply with the Law of the Sea and is null and void,” they said.
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