Turkey’s agreement with Libya on the search for hydrocarbons “does not comply with international maritime law,” France said today.

Paris’ position on this “memorandum of understanding” is that it “violates the sovereign rights of European Union member states, is inconsistent with international maritime law and cannot have legal consequences for third states”, as it states in the relevant communication French Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Macron to Erdogan: respect for international law

French President urged respect for international law Emmanuel Macron from my Turkish colleague Recep Tayyip Erdoganwhom he met yesterday in Prague, on the sidelines of the first session of the European Political Community.

The French President expressed “concern” about the situation in the Aegean and “called for the resumption of dialogue between the parties in order to avoid escalation and maintain respect for international law,” according to a statement released by the Elysee Palace.

Macron also insisted that countries need to fight to ensure that sanctions against Russia are not circumvented. “He stressed the importance of the European sanctions regime to stop the escalation (on behalf of Russia) and asked to fight against any strategic circumvention of them,” the message says.

Turkey, heavily dependent on Russian gas and oil, has refused to enforce Western sanctions imposed on Russia since its invasion of Ukraine and has consistently opposed its mediation between Moscow and Kyiv. A favorite destination for Russians, thousands of tourists, refugees and businessmen have arrived since the start of the war, becoming Turkey’s biggest property buyers since May.

Source: APE/MEB