Erdogan rejects EU criticism of Turkey-Libya maritime deal

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Monday that the European Union and other parties' reactions to the ratification of the maritime border agreement between Turkey and Libya have no legitimate basis, defending Ankara's policy in the eastern Mediterranean.

Erdogan added, "We are not seeking political gains at the expense of any party in the eastern Mediterranean," stressing that those who seek to exclude Ankara from the region must respect the will of Turkey and Libya.

On October 20, the Libyan parliament based in the east ratified the 2019 maritime border agreement with Turkey, reversing its years-long opposition to the deal.

The European Union and Greece rejected the move, arguing that the agreement violates the sovereign rights of other countries and contravenes international law.