The Trump administration has criticized a maritime agreement between Turkey and eastern Libya, saying it risks raising tensions in the eastern Mediterranean.
The deal has angered several countries, which argue that it redraws maritime boundaries in a region believed to hold significant natural gas reserves.
Eastern Libya’s parliament approved the accord in mid-October. The area is controlled by military leader Khalifa Haftar, who has aligned himself with Turkey. The agreement does not involve Libya’s internationally recognized government in Tripoli.
A State Department spokesperson said the announcement had “raised tensions in the region” and was “unhelpful and provocative,” adding that the U.S. position had not changed. The spokesperson urged countries in the eastern Mediterranean to settle maritime disputes through good-faith negotiations and avoid provocative actions. Greece and Turkey, both NATO members, were encouraged to address disagreements through bilateral talks.
The spokesperson also said peaceful resolutions could make room for commercial investment and exploration that would benefit the region.
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan defended the agreement on Wednesday, calling it legitimate under both domestic and international law. He said there was no reason to debate its validity. Fidan acknowledged that some countries had strategic concerns, but maintained that the deal was lawful.
Greek Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis rejected the accord, saying it would not be implemented because, in Greece’s view, it has no legal effect and violates international law. He accused Turkey of building influence in Libya to advance its own interests and said Turkish media had increasingly promoted hostile rhetoric toward Greece.
Endy Zemenides, executive director of the Hellenic American Leadership Council, said the agreement could threaten the security interests of the United States and its allies. He argued that it impinges on U.S. companies and energy policy by denying maritime rights and zones around Crete, which he described as NATO’s southernmost base. Exxon and Chevron have a presence in the area, he said.
Zemenides also characterized the deal as an effort to push the United States out of the region. He said Washington had not been able to rely on Turkey for about a decade, and argued that allowing Ankara to challenge the existing pro-Western order would hurt U.S. interests.
The European Union said the memorandum violates maritime law and infringes on the sovereign rights of other states. It said the agreement is “null and void” and cannot create legal consequences for third countries.
Israel also condemned the accord. Its foreign ministry said the decision by Libya’s House of Representatives to ratify the memorandum infringed on the sovereign rights of Israel’s regional allies. The ministry accused Turkey of once again trying to destabilize the eastern Mediterranean.
