The U.S. State Department has denounced a recent maritime agreement between Turkey and Libya, labeling it "unhelpful and provocative" as it escalates regional tensions.
The agreement, ratified by the Eastern Libyan parliament in mid-October, has sparked frustration among numerous nations who argue it redraws established sea borders in the sensitive Eastern Mediterranean region, an area known for significant potential natural gas deposits. The deal, which aligns Turkey with military leader Khalifa Haftar who controls parts of Libya, notably bypasses the internationally recognized government in Tripoli.
"The announcement of the ratification of the Turkish-Libyan delimitation memorandum of understanding has raised tensions in the region and is unhelpful and provocative — and our position on this matter has not changed," a State Department spokesperson told Fox News Digital.
The spokesperson emphasized the need for peaceful resolution of such disputes through good-faith negotiations and urged all parties, including NATO allies Greece and Turkey, to address disagreements bilaterally. "Peaceful resolution of such disputes opens the way for commercial investment and exploration that will benefit the entire region."
Turkey's Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, however, defended the agreement as "entirely legitimate" from both legal and political perspectives, dismissing criticism. He suggested that some countries reacted due to strategic issues or external pressures but asserted there was no need for debate over the deal's validity.
Meanwhile, Greece has vehemently opposed the memorandum. Greek Minister of Foreign Affairs George Gerapetritis stated that the agreement would not be implemented as it contradicts international law and infringes upon the sovereign rights of regional nations. He accused Turkey of seeking to advance its own interests and noted an increase in anti-Greece rhetoric in Turkish media.
Endy Zemenides, Executive Director of the Hellenic American Leadership Council, told Fox News Digital that the Turkey-Libya deal endangers regional security and U.S. interests. He argued that the agreement infringes on U.S. companies and energy policy by denying maritime rights of Crete, a critical NATO base. "It is not good for American interests to allow Turkey to challenge the pro-Western order," Zemenides added.
The European Union also strongly condemned the deal, declaring it violates maritime law and is therefore null and void. The EU reiterated its stance from December 2019 and June 2025, stating that the memorandum infringes upon the sovereign rights of third states and is non-compliant with the Law of the Sea.
Israel has also criticized the agreement, with its foreign ministry stating it infringes upon the sovereign rights of its allies and that Turkey is once again working to destabilize the Eastern Mediterranean region. Israel has formed alliances with Greece and Cyprus.