Türkiye: EU, Greek objections to hydrocarbons deal with Libya have ‘no importance’

Turkish Foreign Ministry calls on EU and its member states to respect sovereignty, equality of states in line with international law and UN principles

Statements made by Greece and the EU on Türkiye’s new hydrocarbons agreement with Libya have “no importance or value for our country,” said the Turkish Foreign Ministry on Tuesday.

“Objecting to an agreement signed between the two states is not only against the international law but also contradictory to the basic principles of the UN,” ministry spokesman Tanju Bilgic added in a statement, in the wake of remarks by Athens and the EU raising concerns about the deal, signed on Monday.

Türkiye also called on the EU and its member states to not overstep their bounds or authority, and to respect sovereignty and equality of states in line with the international law and UN principles, he added.

Asked about the issue on Monday, during his visit to Libya, Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu similarly said: “Third countries do not have the right to interfere with the agreements signed by two sovereign countries. It doesn’t matter what they think.”

On Monday, Cavusoglu led a high-level delegation to Libya for talks on bilateral ties and regional issues, along with Türkiye’s presidential spokesperson, energy and natural resources minister, defense minister, trade minister, and communications chief.

During the visit, a number of agreements in various fields, including hydrocarbons, were signed by officials of the two countries.