24.10.2026 13:00
While the Libyan House of Representatives' approval of the memorandum of understanding signed with Turkey caused panic in Athens, Greek Professor of International Law Petros Liakouras stated that Ankara had upset the calculations, assessing: "This move surprised everyone, caught us unprepared; Turkey has become even stronger in the region."
The approval by the Libyan House of Representatives of the memorandum of understanding on maritime jurisdiction areas signed between Turkey and Libya continues to hold its place at the top of the agenda in Greece. International Law Professor Petros Liakouras, evaluating the development that reveals the concern in Athens, said that Ankara's move changed all the balances in the region.
"THE APPROVAL DECISION IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT POLITICALLY"
Professor Petros Liakouras, who was a guest on the publication "Insight" of Greece-based iEidiseis.gr, stated that the approval of the memorandum was seen as a negative development for Greece. Expressing that the real issue is whether this approval will produce a new legal consequence, Liakouras argued that the acceptance required for the agreement to enter into force had already taken place earlier and that the completion of the approval process alone did not change the validity of the memorandum. Reminding that Greece had objected to the agreement from the beginning, the professor, although he used the phrase "It has not worked from the beginning," emphasized that the decision taken by parliament was an extremely critical move politically.
"LIBYA HAS BEEN HITCHED TO TURKEY'S WAGON"
Drawing attention in his statements to Turkey's diplomatic success, Liakouras stated that with parliament's approval, Libya had come to a line much more compatible with Turkey. The Greek professor used the expressions, "While saying that Libya has been hitched to Turkey's wagon, we can say that the move from Ankara upset the calculations." Noting that the clearest result of the decision was the political gain obtained by Turkey, Liakouras said that with parliament's approval of the memorandum, the way was completely opened for Turkey to come to the fore in the region.
"TURKEY HAS BECOME EVEN STRONGER IN THE REGION"
Emphasizing that the development should not be considered only as a legal process and that it is of great importance for the balances in the Eastern Mediterranean, Liakouras stated that what happened further strengthened Turkey's position in the region. Stating that Turkey wanted to be sure throughout the process that the other side would fully implement the provisions of the memorandum, the professor expressed that the completion of the approval process meant a great political gain for Ankara.
"IT SURPRISED EVERYONE, CAUGHT THEM UNPREPARED"
Also evaluating the repercussions on the Greek side and Athens's reaction, Liakouras drew attention to the fact that Greece was experiencing serious difficulties in communicating with Libya. Stating that the development created great disappointment in the Athens government and anger toward Ankara, Liakouras admitted, "Frankly, I think it surprised everyone, caught them unprepared."
The analyses of Liakouras, who argued that Europe should be in solidarity with Greece in this process, proved that the approval decision of the Libyan House of Representatives was discussed in Athens not only in terms of its legal dimension but also with deep concern regarding Turkey's growing military and political influence in the Eastern Mediterranean.