OR Cypriot Republicby letter from her permanent delegation to UN to the Secretary -General, Restores its fixed positions for the so -called “Memorandum of Understanding” Turkey – Libya of 2019which, as he points out, “is incompatible with international law, and in particular with the rules of international law on the conclusion of conditions, as well as with the law of the sea, as reflected in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS)”.
In the letter, which It also refers to the earlier letters of Cyprus to the UN (January 20, April 24 and July 20, 2020), it is noted that “this memorandum does not produce any legal effects for third parties, nor does it affect the rights of third parties on marine zones, including their sovereign rights under international law.”
Nicosia stresses that Libya with this memorandum “refers to allegedly delineating maritime zones between two states that do not have opposing or adjacent shores, thus creating one non -existent maritime limit Among them, while deliberately ignores the presence and maritime rights of the coastal states of the region, including Greek islands such as Crete and the Dodecanese. “
Special reference is made to the Article 121 of UNCLOSwhich, as noted, “reflects customary international law and, therefore, also binds non -states to the Convention”. It is emphasized that this article “explicitly provides the right of the islands in a coastal zone, in a border zone, in a continental shelf and an exclusive economic zone”.
The document also notes that “the line that closes the Gulf of Sirta, as well as the relevant design of the straight line line, are not in line with the rules of customary international law, as reflected in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
Nicosia emphasizes the importance of full respect for international law And he recalls that “the marine zone delineation agreements must be concluded between states with objects or adjacent shores, good faith and in accordance with the established principles of international law, as codified in UNCLOS and are guided by international case law.”
At the same time, the Republic of Cyprus records “Libya’s proclaimed readiness to engage in negotiations with all neighboring states for the demarcation of maritime borders in accordance with international law”.
In closing, the permanent delegation of the Republic of Cyprus calls for “as this letter is released as a document of the General Assembly, on the subject 75 of the agenda, and of the Security Council, as well as as it is published on the Website of the Maritime Affairs and Law of the Sea and included in the Sea.”
The whole text of verbal diaphragm
The permanent delegation of the Republic of Cyprus to the United Nations presents its respect to the Secretary General of the United Nations and, following the verbal intercourse dated May 27, 2025 and June 20, 2025 of the permanent delegation of Libya to the Secretary General, has the honor of the Secretary General.
The so -called Memorandum of Understanding for the demarcation of maritime jurisdiction in the Mediterranean Sea, between the Government of the Republic of Turkey and the Government of the National Agreement of the State of Libya, dated November 27, 2019, which is supposed to limit their deduction between the International Law concerning the conclusion of conditions, as well as with sea law, as reflected in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
As a result, this Memorandum does not produce any legal effects for third parties, nor does it affect the rights of third parties to sea zones, including their sovereign rights under international law. (You can recover letters from the Permanent Representative of the Republic of Cyprus to the United Nations, dated January 2020, April 24, 2020 and 20 July 2020, addressed to the Secretary General).
This Memorandum refers to allegedly delineating maritime zones between two states that do not have objects or adjacent coasts, thereby creating a non -existent maritime boundary between them, while deliberately overlooking the presence and maritime rights of the coastal states of the region, including Greek islands.
It is emphasized that Article 121 of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), which reflects customary international law and therefore binds non -states in the contract, expressly provides the right of the islands in a coastal zone, in a border zone, in a border zone.
It is also noted that a line that closes the Gulf of Sirta, as well as the relevant design of the straight line line, are not in line with the rules of customary international law, as reflected in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), and therefore do not.
The Republic of Cyprus emphasizes the importance of full respect for international law.
It reminds, in this light, that the marine zone delineation agreements must be concluded between states with opposing or adjacent coasts, good faith and in accordance with the established principles of international law, as codified by UNCLOS and guided by international case law.
The permanent delegation of the Republic of Cyprus notes Libya’s proclaimed readiness to engage in negotiations with all neighboring states on the demarcation of maritime borders, in accordance with international law.
The permanent delegation of the Republic of Cyprus kindly requests that this letter is released as a document of the General Assembly, on the subject 75 of the agenda, and of the Security Council, as well as published on the website of the Maritime Affairs and Law of the Sea and included in the subsequent edition of the sea.