Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has expressed his appreciation for the eastern-based Libyan House of Representatives’ approval of a maritime jurisdiction agreement with Türkiye, noting that the development is significant for bilateral relations and Ankara’s Mediterranean policy.
Erdogan, who was speaking at a parliamentary group meeting of his ruling Justice and Development (AK) Party in Ankara on Wednesday, said: “I hope this important decision will be beneficial.”
Libya’s House of Representatives unanimously approved on Tuesday a memorandum of understanding signed on November 27, 2019, between Türkiye and Libya’s then internationally recognised Government of National Accord. The agreement establishes maritime zones of jurisdiction between the two countries in the Mediterranean Sea.
The deal was to set a maritime border according to the understanding of the international maritime law in Türkiye. Ankara claims that it has a long coastline on the Mediterranean Sea and that the maritime jurisdiction areas should not be limited disproportionately by the Greek islands located near the Turkish mainland.
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The pact has been a central part of Türkiye’s regional maritime policy and its ties with Libya, which have been fraught with political tensions for years, affecting foreign policy choices.
The new parliamentary ruling also overturns the previous stance of the legislature, which was based in the east. In addition to approving the maritime memorandum, lawmakers repealed a 2020 resolution that had rejected the ratification of the agreements signed with Türkiye.
The deal may give new impetus to Ankara’s bid to improve its political and strategic relations with Libya, but the wider regional implications of the agreement are tied to rival maritime claims in the eastern Mediterranean.
Türkiye submits Defence Agreement with Saudi Arabia and Pakistan for Ratification
In a separate statement, Erdogan said a joint defence pact between Türkiye, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan had been sent to the Turkish parliament for ratification.
We have sent the joint defence agreement, which we signed with Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, to our parliament for ratification,” he said.
The announcement is another step towards the proposed defence cooperation between the three countries. The submission for ratification of the agreement indicates Ankara’s plans to move the agreement forward in its domestic legislative process.
The developments collectively underscore Türkiye’s multifaceted initiatives to bolster its strategic footprint in the Mediterranean and enhance defence cooperation with regional allies, such as Saudi Arabia and Pakistan.
