Libya's Eastern Legislature Ratifies $100 Billion Sea Pact With Turkey
The unanimous vote reverses a previous stance, directly challenging Greek sovereignty claims over key Mediterranean islands.
By Alina Campbell ·
Libya's eastern parliament voted unanimously on Tuesday to ratify a maritime agreement with Turkey. The move establishes a direct economic corridor between the two nations and immediately places the deal on a collision course with Greece. The legislation was passed without opposition in the chamber.
The dispute dates back to 2019. At that time, the UN-recognized Government of National Accord in western Libya signed the initial corridor agreement with Ankara. The rival government in the east, led by General Khalifa Hifter, opposed the pact. Political dynamics have shifted since the civil war era, driven by Turkish military support and billions of dollars in reconstruction contracts. The eastern legislature has now reversed its earlier objection, a move welcomed by Turkey's Foreign Ministry.
The corridor connects Turkey's southern coastline to Libya's northern shore. Recent geological surveys indicate that natural gas reserves worth several hundred billion US dollars lie beneath this seabed. Ankara and Tripoli aim to secure their rights to these resources and begin joint exploitation. The agreement effectively bypasses Greek territory, ignoring the waters surrounding the islands of Crete, Karpathos, and Rhodes.
Athens has voiced strong opposition to the new boundary. The Greek Foreign Ministry stated on X that it firmly rejects the accord with the backing of the European Union. Brussels called the memorandum null and void, citing violations of third-state sovereign rights and inconsistencies with the Law of the Sea. Kaja Kallas, the EU's high representative for foreign affairs, posted on X that the Libyan vote infringes upon the sovereign rights of third states.
The legal core of the conflict involves the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea. Greece relies on Article 121, which grants inhabited islands the same exclusive economic zone rights as mainland territory. Athens points to a 2022 International Court of Justice ruling between Colombia and Nicaragua as precedent for fair demarcation. Turkey argues that Mediterranean geography requires special consideration. Ankara maintains that full exclusive economic zones for every small Greek island would cut Turkey off from the open sea. Turkey never signed the convention and does not accept UN tribunal arbitration.
The new corridor also threatens the planned EastMed pipeline. This project was designed to carry gas from Israel and Cyprus through Greece to strengthen EU energy security. The Turkish-Libyan route cuts across the pipeline's intended path. Turkey argues that it requires consent for any cable or pipeline projects on its claimed continental shelf.
The ratification solidifies a split in the region. A Turkey-Libya axis is emerging alongside an EU-supported grouping that includes Greece, Cyprus, Egypt, and Israel. The vote marks a decisive step in that division.
The next phase involves joint seismic surveys. Turkey's state oil company TPAO is already working with Libya's National Oil Corporation on plans to map the underwater deposits. These technical preparations will proceed regardless of the diplomatic standoff in Athens.
