Turkey calls on Libya, Egypt to initiate maritime border dialogue

Turkey is calling on Libya and Egypt to begin dialogue and negotiations “as soon as possible” to fix the differences between the two countries over the demarcation of maritime borders, reported Turkish state-owned broadcaster TRT World.

This comes after Libya had refused a December 11 decision by Egypt to unilaterally demarcate its western maritime borders with neighbouring Libya with nine geographic coordinates.

Citing diplomatic sources, TRT World stated that Turkey favours the launching of dialogue and negotiations between Egypt and Libya as soon as possible.

The sources added that the delimitation of the maritime boundary should be in line with international law, and within this framework, the application should entail all peaceful means as stipulated in Article 33 of the UN Charter, including the International Court of Justice, on the basis of mutual consent.