Latest news with #Libya-Turkey
Libya Review
a day ago
- Business
- Libya Review
European Council Warns Against Unilateral Maritime Agreements in Libya
Libya's maritime agreement with Turkey continues to draw sharp criticism from the European Union, as a draft version of the European Council's latest conclusions labels the 2019 Memorandum of Understanding between the two countries as incompatible with international law. According to the draft text, the Council reaffirms that the Libya-Turkey memorandum 'violates the sovereign rights of third states, does not comply with the Law of the Sea, and cannot have legal consequences for third states.' This language reflects the EU's enduring stance that the maritime deal, which aims to define exclusive economic zones in the Mediterranean, infringes on the rights of neighboring countries, particularly Greece and Cyprus. Beyond the legal dispute, the draft also highlights broader concerns over the ongoing instability in Libya. The European Council links the country's fragile political and security landscape to wider regional implications, including irregular migration flows and threats to European security. The draft further reiterates the EU's support for Libya's sovereignty and unity. It calls for continued backing of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL), and urges progress toward a comprehensive political solution based on national ownership, inclusivity, and consensus. The European Council's discussion comes as Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis participates in high-level meetings in Brussels, following a NATO gathering in The Hague. Alongside Libya, other key topics on the EU agenda include the situation in Ukraine, developments in the Middle East, migration policy, and internal European security. The agreement, first signed in 2019, delineates maritime boundaries and has been seen as part of broader Turkish interests in energy exploration. Tags: euGreecelibyaMaritime DealTurkey
Libya Observer
02-06-2025
- Business
- Libya Observer
HoR discusses adopting 69-billion-dinar budget for Belgassim Haftar's reconstruction fund
Libya's House of Representatives (HoR) has started discussing a proposed budget of 69 billion dinars over three years—23 billion annually—for the 'Libya Development and Reconstruction Fund,' which is headed by Belgassim Haftar, the son of Khalifa Haftar. The HoR session, held on Monday, was marked by verbal clashes between MPs Ezzedine Qweirib and Issa Al-Araibi. Qweirib called for a review of expenditures and better coordination with construction companies, while Al-Araibi denounced the criticism as obstructive 'grandstanding' in the face of what he described as the unstoppable 'reconstruction train.' MP Ali Bouzreiba also criticized the budget proposal, calling it vague and lacking in clarity. Following the heated exchanges, the live broadcast of the session was cut off. Later, the spokesperson for the House, Abdullah Bliheq, announced that the parliament had agreed in principle to draft the budget for the Reconstruction Fund, but requested clarifications and noted the importance of incorporating MPs' observations. Bliheq added that a parliamentary committee—with one representative from each electoral district—would be formed to meet with the fund's administration to ensure transparency in how the budget would be distributed across Libya's regions. He also noted the formation of a technical committee to study the Libya-Turkey agreement submitted by the parallel government in eastern Libya. Tags: House of Representatives Libya Development and Reconstruction Fund
