On Wednesday, Egypt expressed strong objection to Libya’s parliament ratifying a 2019 memorandum between Libya and Turkey that defines maritime zones in the Mediterranean. The Egyptian Foreign Ministry said the agreement is void.
The statement emphasized that the memorandum, signed in 2019 by Libyan official Fayez al‑Sarraj and the Republic of Turkey, lacks legal validity and does not produce any binding effect on Egypt. It declared the document invalid in all respects, and that its ratification by the Libyan House of Representatives would have no legal consequences for Egypt.
The ministry highlighted that the agreement contravenes the principles of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) of 1982, especially provisions concerning the exclusive economic zone and the continental shelf. It stressed that the memo undermines Egypt’s sovereign rights within its declared maritime boundaries.
It was noted that Egypt had previously opposed the memorandum outright. The government reiterated its stance, stating that any action based on the agreement would conflict with the announced Egyptian maritime limits. Accordingly, Egypt reserves the right to protect its interests as guaranteed by international law and to counter any attempts to violate them.
The statement reaffirmed Egypt’s commitment to upholding its maritime sovereignty and to ensuring that any international agreements affecting the Mediterranean region respect the legal framework established by UNCLOS and Egypt’s own maritime claims.
By rejecting the memorandum, Egypt signals its determination to defend its territorial waters and to maintain stability in the region. The government also warned that the agreement, if implemented, could lead to disputes over the delineation of maritime zones and potentially impact the security and economic interests of neighboring states.
The Foreign Ministry concluded that Egypt remains vigilant and ready to take necessary measures to safeguard its maritime rights, emphasizing that the country will not tolerate any encroachments on its sovereign territory.
The foreign ministry also pointed out that the memorandum, by redefining maritime boundaries, could affect Egypt’s claims over the Nile Delta area and the economic resources in the Mediterranean. However, the statement clarified that Egypt maintains that its maritime sovereignty remains unaltered by any bilateral agreement between Libya and Turkey.
It reiterated that Egypt will continue to engage diplomatically with regional partners to promote a peaceful resolution of maritime disputes, emphasizing cooperation under international law.
The ministry ended by reaffirming Egypt’s commitment to the principles of justice and fairness in the application of UNCLOS, and that any unilateral attempts to alter the status quo will be met with resolute defense of national interests.
