On 3 January 2020,the European Union clearly expressed its position on Turkey’s decision to authorise military deployments in Libya.[1] The EU remains convinced that the only sustainable solution to the crisis is through United Nations-led mediation efforts that put the need of all Libyan people at the forefront. Only a Libyan-led and Libyan-owned political process can end the conflict and bring lasting peace.

Furthermore, on 12 December 2019, the European Council stressed[2] that the Turkey-Libya memorandum of understanding on the delimitation of maritime jurisdictions in the Mediterranean Sea 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. The European Council also reconfirmed the European Union’s position on Turkey’s illegal drilling activities in Cyprus’ Exclusive Economic Zone.

On 11 November 2019, the Council adopted a framework for restrictive measures[3], allowing for the possibility of applying a travel ban and asset freeze to individuals or entities responsible for or involved in drilling activities in relation to hydrocarbon exploration and production not authorised by Cyprus in its territorial sea or in its exclusive economic zone or on its continental shelf.

The EU will remain seized of these issues and continue to raise them with the Turkish authorities at all levels.

• [1] https://eeas.europa.eu/headquarters/headquarters-homepage/72659/libya-statement-spokesperson-decision-turkish-parliament_en
• [2] https://www.consilium.europa.eu/media/41768/12-euco-final-conclusions-en.pdf
• [3] https://www.consilium.europa.eu/media/41313/st13262-en19.pdf