The US State Department has called for good-faith negotiations to resolve maritime disputes in the Eastern Mediterranean following the approval of the Turkey-Libya maritime deal by Libya’s eastern-based House of Representatives.
In its response to a question about the agreement, the US State Department did not explicitly address its legality or the Libyan parliament’s decision. Instead, it highlighted the benefits of resolving maritime disputes for regional investment and exploration.
“We encourage our partners in the Eastern Mediterranean to resolve maritime disputes through good-faith negotiations,” the department said.
“Resolving maritime issues serves the interests of all parties and opens the way for commercial investment and exploration that will benefit the entire Mediterranean region,” it added.
Washington calls for Greek-Turkish dialogue
Addressing relations between Athens and Ankara, the State Department noted that Greece and Turkey are both NATO allies and encouraged them to address their differences through bilateral discussions.
“We encourage them to engage in bilateral discussions to address any disagreements,” it said.
The statement comes amid renewed tensions over maritime boundaries in the Eastern Mediterranean following the latest development in Libya.
Libya approves 2019 maritime agreement
Libya’s House of Representatives, based in the eastern part of the country, approved the 2019 maritime delimitation memorandum between Turkey and Libya on October 20.
Greece rejected the decision, arguing that the agreement violates international law of the sea and infringes on the sovereign rights of countries in the region.
The European Union also expressed strong opposition to the approval.
In a statement issued on October 21 on behalf of the EU, the bloc reiterated its position that the memorandum infringes on the sovereign rights of third countries, is inconsistent with the law of the sea and cannot produce legal consequences for third states.
The US response focused on encouraging dialogue and negotiations without explicitly endorsing or rejecting the agreement’s legality.
Also read: EU condemns Libya-Turkey maritime deal, backs Cyprus and Greece
For more videos and updates, check out our YouTube channel
