Turkey Expands Mediterranean Reach With Libya Maritime Deal

Turkey is celebrating a significant diplomatic and economic achievement following the ratification of a maritime border agreement with Libya by the parliament in eastern Libya. This deal, initially agreed upon seven years ago, solidifies Turkish influence in the region and has sparked anger and concern in Greece, Cyprus, Egypt, and Israel.

The agreement, signed in November 2019 between Turkey and the UN-recognized Government of National Accord in Tripoli, delineates maritime zones between the two countries, despite lacking a shared land border. Such agreements grant exclusive economic rights for resource exploitation, including oil and gas, and the construction of maritime infrastructure. The core of the controversy lies in the border Turkey and Libya have drawn, which encroaches upon areas encompassing Greek islands like Crete and Rhodes. Greece argues this violates its maritime rights, while Turkey contends that Greek islands should not disproportionately limit its own maritime entitlements stemming from its long coastline.

Adding a complex layer, the eastern Libyan parliament, aligned with General Khalifa Haftar, approved the deal. This is notable because Haftar's forces were previously in conflict with the Tripoli government, and Turkey had militarily supported the Tripoli administration against Haftar's advance. Despite this past opposition and a prior severance of political ties with Ankara by the eastern parliament, relations have shifted, with Turkey now engaging with both major Libyan power centers to secure its long-term influence.

Turkey's strategic aims include securing greater access to Mediterranean energy resources, particularly potential gas and oil reserves, in an area where significant discoveries have been made off the coasts of Israel, Egypt, and Cyprus. The deal bolsters Turkey's claims for maritime rights in areas it wishes to explore and invest in, potentially strengthening its position in the regional energy market. Beyond energy, the agreement enhances Turkey's geopolitical standing by deepening its ties with both factions in Libya, thereby expanding its operational capacity across the country, which holds strategic importance due to its location connecting North Africa, Europe, and the Middle East.

The ratification has drawn strong condemnation from Greece and Cyprus, who view it as an infringement on their maritime rights and energy claims. The European Union has reiterated its stance that the agreement violates the sovereign rights of third countries and is inconsistent with maritime law. Egypt, which previously supported Haftar and signed its own maritime agreement with Greece, finds itself in a position where its eastern Libyan allies are endorsing a deal Cairo opposes.

For Israel, while the deal does not directly alter its maritime borders or existing gas rights, it presents potential challenges. It could create further political and legal obstacles for the EastMed pipeline project, intended to transport natural gas from the Eastern Mediterranean to Europe, which already faces disputes in areas overlapping with the Turkey-Libya agreement. Additionally, Turkey's claim that some maritime surveys for the Great Sea Interconnector electricity cable project require its coordination, due to its inclusion in the Libya deal, could complicate infrastructure development. The agreement also impacts Israel indirectly by potentially straining relations with its key allies, Greece and Cyprus, amidst growing regional tensions with Turkey.