epa08057400 European High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs, Josep Borrell gives a press conference at the end of an EU Foreign Affairs Council (FAC) in Brussels, Belgium, 09 December 2019. EPA-EFE/STEPHANIE LECOCQ
The European Union is set to reject Turkey’s maritime border agreement with Libya as invalid.
The pact gives Turkey access to an economic zone across the Mediterranean, which further raised tensions with Greece, Cyprus and Egypt, who warned the deal is a violation of international law. Greece last week expelled the Libyan ambassador over it.
In a draft statement, EU leaders said the deal “infringes upon the sovereign rights of third states, does not comply with the Law of the Sea and cannot produce any legal consequences for third states”.
They added the Union “unequivocally reaffirms its solidarity with Greece and Cyprus regarding these actions by Turkey”.
“It is clear that this document is a cause of serious concern. We express our solidarity and our support to Greece and Cyprus”, said EU’s foreign affairs chief, Josep Borrell.
The EU has already prepared sanctions against Turkey over its exploratory gas drilling in waters where the Greek Cypriots claim exclusive economic rights. Cyprus has said it will take Turkey to the International Court of Justice in the Hague.
“The European Union stands in full solidarity with Greece and Cyprus regarding recent actions by Turkey in the Eastern Mediterranean, including the Aegean Sea. Turkey needs to respect the sovereignty and the sovereign rights of all EU member-states”, the EU said on 11 December.
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