The parliament located in eastern Libya has formally voted to recognize the maritime boundary agreement signed in 2019 between Turkey and the Government of National Accord (GNA) in Tripoli. This decision represents a major reversal in the political stance of the eastern administration, which had previously opposed the deal and maintained a boycott against it since 2020.

The 2019 memorandum of understanding between Ankara and Tripoli aimed to define maritime jurisdictions in the Mediterranean, a move that drew significant international criticism at the time from countries including Greece, Cyprus, and Egypt. These nations argued that the agreement infringed upon their own maritime rights and ignored the legal status of various islands.

For years, the eastern-based parliament and the forces led by Khalifa Haftar viewed the agreement as an illegal overreach by the Tripoli government, which they were actively fighting during the Libyan civil conflict. By voting to approve the deal, the eastern parliament is signaling a potential thaw in relations with Turkey, which has historically supported the Tripoli-based administration. While the vote is a procedural milestone, it remains unclear how this will impact the broader, fragmented political landscape of Libya or how regional powers opposed to the deal will respond to this sudden shift in recognition.