The U.S. State Department has avoided directly criticizing the controversial maritime agreement between Turkey and Libya following its ratification by Libya’s eastern-based parliament, adopting a more cautious tone than in previous statements that explicitly challenged Ankara’s actions in the Eastern Mediterranean.
Responding to a question from several greek media about the October 20 ratification, Washington called for negotiations but did not address the agreement’s legality or its implications for Greek sovereign rights.
“We encourage our partners in the Eastern Mediterranean to resolve maritime disputes through good-faith negotiation,” a State Department spokesperson said.
“Resolving maritime issues serves every party’s interest and opens the way for commercial investment and exploration that will benefit the entire Mediterranean region,” the spokesperson added.
A Noticeable Difference From Previous US Positions
The latest response contrasts with Washington’s earlier assessments of the 2019 maritime memorandum. In December 2019, the State Department described the Turkey-Libya agreement as “unhelpful and provocative,” explicitly warning that it had increased regional tensions.
In January 2020, a department spokesperson acknowledged Greece’s overlapping maritime claims and emphasized that islands are generally entitled to exclusive economic zones and continental shelves under international law. Washington reiterated its criticism in June 2020, stating that the memorandum could not affect the rights or obligations of third countries, including Greece.
The absence of similar language in the latest response is significant, although it does not establish that the United States has formally changed its legal position. Instead, Washington emphasized dialogue between its two NATO allies.
“Greece and Turkey are both NATO allies. We encourage them to engage bilaterally to address any areas of disagreement,” the spokesperson said.
Greece and EU Reject Libyan Ratification
The dispute dates back to November 2019, when Turkey signed a maritime delimitation agreement with Libya’s then-internationally recognized government in Tripoli.
The agreement establishes maritime boundaries that Greece argues disregard the rights of Crete and other Greek islands, affecting potential offshore energy exploration.
On October 20, Libya’s eastern-based House of Representatives, aligned with military commander Khalifa Haftar, approved the memorandum after years of opposition. The decision represents a significant development in Libya’s relations with Turkey. Athens rejected the ratification, maintaining that the agreement violates international maritime law and cannot affect Greek sovereign rights.
The European Union adopted a considerably firmer position on October 21, declaring that the memorandum infringes upon third countries’ sovereign rights, does not comply with the Law of the Sea and is “null and void.” The EU also reaffirmed that the agreement cannot produce legal consequences for third countries.
Greece subsequently raised the issue at the United Nations Security Council, warning of potential consequences for regional security and stability.
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