Egypt announced its firm rejection of the Libyan Parliament’s ratification of a 2019 memorandum of understanding signed between Fayez al-Sarraj and Turkey regarding the delineation of maritime jurisdiction in the Mediterranean Sea. The Egyptian foreign ministry stated that the memorandum is null and void, lacking any legal effect, and that its ratification would not produce any legal consequences for Egypt.
The ministry clarified that the memorandum contravenes the principles of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea of 1982, particularly regarding the designation of the exclusive economic zone and the continental shelf, principles of fairness and equity.
Egypt emphasized that the memorandum constitutes a clear violation of its sovereign rights over the exclusive economic zone and the continental shelf. The country reiterated its unequivocal opposition to the memorandum and any actions or measures issued by any party based on it, which would conflict with Egypt’s declared maritime boundaries.
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Egypt also reaffirmed its right to protect the rights guaranteed by international law and to counter any attempts to undermine them.
The dispute dates back to November 20, 2019, when Ankara and the Libyan Government of National Unity, led by Fayez al-Sarraj, signed the memorandum to delineate maritime boundaries and the continental shelf in the eastern Mediterranean. The memorandum aimed to pave the way for exploration and gas and oil extraction, but it was met with widespread rejection from Egypt, Greece, and Cyprus, who argued that it infringed on their sovereign rights and disregarded the coastal geography and major islands in the region.
The latest development follows the Libyan Parliament’s reversal of its previous rejection and its endorsement of the memorandum. Cairo has reiterated its steadfast stance against the legitimacy of any unilateral action, stressing that such a step has no legal effect and reaffirming its full commitment to safeguarding its maritime boundaries.
In addition, Cairo stressed that the memorandum fails to align with maritime delimitation protocols guiding regional cooperation, and that any unilateral attempt to alter the status quo would undermine Mediterranean stability. The Egyptian foreign ministry reaffirmed that it will continue engaging with regional partners to ensure that the exclusive economic zone and continental shelf remain protected under international law.
