Egypt Reaffirms Legal Position on Turkey-Libya Maritime MoU
Egypt has reaffirmed its legal position on the Turkey-Libya maritime memorandum of understanding (MoU), stressing the importance of international maritime law and the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) in addressing maritime boundary delimitation. The issue was raised during a meeting between Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty and Libya’s Acting Foreign Minister Taher al Baour on Saturday, November 7, 2026.
Abdelatty emphasised that Egypt’s concerns over maritime boundaries must be taken into account, taking into consideration the close relations between the two countries and the need to uphold international law. He stressed that maritime boundary arrangements should be consistent with UNCLOS and serve the shared interests of Egypt and Libya.
Read:Turkey Detains Nine Tanker Crew Members after Deadly Sea of Marmara Collision
Maritime Law and Regional Cooperation
Egypt’s renewed emphasis on maritime boundary delimitation highlights the importance of international legal frameworks in managing maritime interests in the Eastern Mediterranean. The application of UNCLOS principles and consideration of neighbouring countries’ concerns remain important elements of maritime boundary negotiations. The issue also demonstrates how maritime diplomacy can provide a framework for addressing differences while maintaining broader regional cooperation.
According to Egyptian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Ambassador Nader Zaki, the meeting also focused on strengthening bilateral relations, particularly in the economic, trade and energy sectors.
Abdelatty reiterated Egypt’s firm support for a political solution in Libya through an inclusive dialogue owned and led entirely by Libyans. He emphasised that the process should be based on broad national consensus and remain free from external dictates or interference, serving the interests of the Libyan people and preserving stability.
The Egyptian foreign minister also expressed Cairo’s commitment to strengthening bilateral relations and building on their recent momentum. He highlighted the importance of convening the next session of the joint higher committee to advance cooperation across various fields.
Abdelatty further stressed the need to provide additional facilities for Egyptian students in Libya and improve arrangements for the Egyptian community residing in the country.
For his part, al Baour expressed deep appreciation for the close relations between Egypt and Libya, acknowledging the significant progress achieved in bilateral ties.
He said Libya looked forward to benefiting from Egyptian expertise across various sectors and supporting efforts to strengthen the Libyan economy. He also praised the contributions of the Egyptian community and Egyptian companies operating in Libya.
