The European Union has reiterated that agreements inconsistent with international law cannot produce legal effectsfor third states or for its member states. It did so as EU High Representative and Vice-President Kaja Kallas held talks with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan. According to European Commission spokesperson for foreign affairs Christian Wigand, the Cyprus problem and the Turkey-Libya maritime memorandum are expected to be raised.
Topics on the agenda
Mr Wigand confirmed that the meeting was taking place as he spoke. He said the talks were expected to cover several issues:
- Russia’s escalation in the Black Sea
- Hybrid threats in the Black Sea
- The situation in the Middle East
- The Cyprus problem
- The Libya-Turkey maritime agreement, or memorandum of understanding
He noted that “a very clear statement” had been issued the previous day by Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President António Costa. He said this already indicated some of the issues likely to be raised at the meeting.
EU position on the memorandum
On the ratification of the memorandum, Mr Wigand said the EU’s position is very clear. Actions or agreements that are not consistent with international law cannot produce legal effects for third states or for EU member states.
He added that the EU is assessing the implications of the development, in close coordination with member states.
Dialogue and regional stability
Mr Wigand said the EU’s priority remains dialogue, de-escalation and the preservation of regional stability. He added that the EU stands ready to defend the interests of the Union and its member states.
Statements by von der Leyen and Costa
Mr Wigand recalled that both President von der Leyen and President Costa had posted on the matter the previous day. They expressed regret at the Libyan parliament’s ratification of the so-called Libya-Turkey memorandum of understanding on the delimitation of maritime jurisdiction zones in the Mediterranean.
