Egypt, Bahrain, and the United Arab Emirates have formally aligned with Greece to condemn a maritime accord between Turkey and Libya, characterizing it as a significant threat to regional security and the international legal order in the contested Eastern Mediterranean.
The dispute centers on a maritime boundaries agreement between Libya's eastern parliament and Turkey, originally established in 2019. Greece and Cyprus have strongly contested this accord, asserting that it infringes upon their established maritime claims in the region.
In a joint statement delivered at the United Nations, Greece and the three Arab nations articulated their "serious concerns for regional security and stability," warning that such bilateral arrangements could establish a detrimental precedent by undermining the established principles of international law.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has defended the agreement, dismissing international reactions as lacking legitimate basis and reiterating Turkey's policy in the Eastern Mediterranean. The backing from these Arab states signifies a concerted effort to elevate a bilateral disagreement into a broader regional challenge, thereby increasing diplomatic pressure on Turkey and Libya regarding maritime zones and prospective energy projects.
This diplomatic alignment follows Greece's recent moves to secure its energy interests, including awarding a gas exploration license near Crete and pursuing a separate demarcation agreement with Libya. Greek Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis expressed Athens' readiness for continued engagement and urged Libya to foster neighborly relations aligned with maritime rules as part of its political transition.
Libya has been divided into rival administrations since a civil war commenced over a decade ago. While the Turkey-Libya accord was initially agreed upon by the internationally recognized government in Tripoli, the rival eastern administration, supported by Turkish military intervention, has seen its relationship with Ankara improve, leading to recent approvals and investments.
