The Republic of Cyprus is calling on the Libyan Parliament to revoke its approval of the Turkey-Libya memorandum. Diplomatic action will continue at both European Union and United Nations level, according to Theodoros Gotsis.
Cyprus and Greece condemn the decision
Speaking on Politis 107.6 & 97.6 radio, on the programme “Defteri Matia sta Gegonota” with Andri Daniel, Mr Gotsis said that the Republic of Cyprus and Greece have condemned the Libyan Parliament’s decision to ratify the memorandum signed between Turkey and Libya in November 2019.
He explained that the memorandum violates the sovereign rights of third states and runs counter to the principles of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and customary international law. In particular, it contradicts the rights of islands to an Exclusive Economic Zone and continental shelf.
He stressed that the Republic of Cyprus continues to regard the memorandum as “illegal, null and void”, underlining that it produces no legal effect on third states.
EU response and steps at the UN
Mr Gotsis referred to the European Union’s immediate reaction through a joint statement by European Council President António Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. He noted that the statement expressed full support for Greece and Cyprus.
He underlined that the Convention on the Law of the Sea forms part of the EU acquis. He said this makes joint action within the European Union particularly important.
He added that steps will also be taken at the United Nations. He confirmed that the Foreign Ministers of Cyprus and Greece had been in contact from the outset.
Coordination with Greece
Mr Gotsis said the Republic of Cyprus will continue to act in close coordination with the Greek government. The aim, he said, is to safeguard Cyprus’s sovereign rights and their exercise within the Cypriot EEZ and maritime zones.
Egypt’s position
Referring to Egypt, Mr Gotsis declined to anticipate any new position from its government. He did, however, recall the steps Egypt has taken in recent years.
Specifically, he noted that at the end of 2022 Egypt set the outer limits of its Exclusive Economic Zone in relation to the area of Crete, adopting a position contrary to the Turkey-Libya memorandum.
Systematic use of all available tools
Mr Gotsis said that dealing with the situation “is not a matter of concern”. Instead, he said, it calls for systematic action and the use of all available tools.
He said the Republic of Cyprus is acting consistently and with careful steps to safeguard its sovereign rights, and that diplomatic initiatives will continue.
Finally, he clarified that Cyprus will play a supporting role in the next steps. As he put it, “the Hellenic Republic itself has the first say in this case”, since it is directly affected by the ratification of the memorandum.
