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Greek Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis delivered the joint statement on behalf of the six participants following Libya\u2019s House of Representatives\u2019 recent decision to ratify the memorandum, which concerns the delimitation of maritime jurisdiction areas in the Mediterranean.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe memorandum remains null and void, runs counter to international law and cannot constitute a lawful basis for the delimitation of maritime zones or produce legal effects for third states,\u201d Gerapetritis said.<\/p>\n
The joint statement warned that the Libyan parliament\u2019s decision raised serious concerns about regional security and stability. It also highlighted a broader challenge to the international legal order: ensuring that unilateral bilateral agreements do not undermine established international law or infringe on the rights of third states.<\/p>\n
Read more: Greece Leads Six Nations Against Turkish-Libyan Maritime Deal<\/p>\n
Gerapetritis stressed that the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), together with customary international law, provides the legal framework for delimiting maritime zones. These rules, he said, are fundamental to predictability, legal certainty and peaceful relations between states.<\/p>\n
He cautioned that accepting bilateral agreements that disregard applicable international law would set a dangerous precedent, undermining the international legal order and the principles that underpin the peaceful settlement of disputes.<\/p>\n
The statement said the memorandum disregards the geographical realities of the Mediterranean and the maritime rights of coastal states, including the rights of islands under UNCLOS. It added that the Libyan parliament\u2019s ratification did not change the memorandum\u2019s legal status.<\/p>\n
Six parties reaffirm support for a united Libya<\/strong><\/p>\n The six participants reaffirmed their commitment to reunifying Libya\u2019s institutions and supporting the prospect of a united and prosperous country. They stressed that a stable Libya that actively participates in regional cooperation is essential to peace and security across the Mediterranean.<\/p>\n They also said Libya\u2019s political transition and relations with neighbouring countries must respect international law and the principles of good neighbourly relations.<\/p>\n Greece remains open to maritime talks with Libya<\/strong><\/p>\n The statement also addressed bilateral talks between Greece and Libya on maritime boundary delimitation. It said Greece had pursued negotiations in good faith and in accordance with international law and remained ready to continue them.<\/p>\n \u201cRespect for international law is an essential prerequisite for regional stability and for maintaining a rules-based international order,\u201d Gerapetritis said.<\/p>\n The joint declaration followed the Libyan House of Representatives\u2019 approval of the 2019 memorandum on October 20. The European Union has also stated that the agreement infringes the sovereign rights of third states, does not comply with the law of the sea and is null and void.<\/p>\n (Source: AMNA)<\/em><\/p>\n