Benghazi – Libya – On Monday, 11 May 2020 , the foreign ministers of Egypt, Cyprus, Greece, France and the UAE issued a joint statement on the latest developments in the eastern Mediterranean region, after their meeting via a video conference that included condemning the Turkish interference in Libya. This meeting was held based on prior consultations and periodic coordination between Egypt, Cyprus, Greece and France within the framework of the “3 + 1” formula. Then their counterparts from the United Arab Emirates joined them to discuss the latest worrying developments in the eastern Mediterranean, as well as several regional crises that threaten peace and stability in that region. The ministers expressed their deep regret over the escalation of military confrontations in Libya and stressed the need to refrain from any foreign military intervention in Libya based on the results of the Berlin Conference. The ministers strongly condemned the Turkish military intervention in Libya and urged Turkey to fully respect the UN weapon embargo and stop the flow of foreign fighters from Syria to Libya, as this threatens the stability of Libya’s neighboring countries in Africa and Europe. The ministers called on the Libyan parties to abide by the humanitarian truce during the holy month of Ramadan and affirmed their commitment to work towards a comprehensive political solution to the Libyan crisis under the auspices of the United Nations. They expressed their keenness to resume meetings of the political, military, economic, and financial tracks of the Berlin process. They also claimed that the maritime border agreement signed between Turkey and the UN-backed Government of National Accord (GNA) is an illegal act that violates the sovereignty of other Mediterranean states. The foreign ministers of Egypt, France, UAE, Greece and Cyprus called the deployment of Turkish troops in Libya a “serious violation” of international law that puts at risk regional stability. They also claimed that the maritime border agreement signed between Turkey and the Government of National Accord is an illegal act that violates the sovereignty of other Mediterranean states. “The ministers called upon Turkey to fully respect the sovereignty of all states and their sovereign rights in their maritime areas of the Eastern Mediterranean.” |