Erdoğan urges respect for Türkiye–Libya maritime agreement
Speaking after a cabinet meeting on Monday, Erdoğan defended the maritime boundary agreement signed between the two countries on November 27, 2019, and welcomed what he described as its unanimous approval by Libya’s House of Representatives last week.
He called the agreement a significant step for the Eastern Mediterranean and said the support shown by Libyan representatives despite their political differences was important.
Erdoğan rejected criticism of the agreement, particularly from the European Union, arguing that the objections had no legitimate basis.
He said Türkiye was not seeking to score points against other countries but to safeguard its maritime jurisdiction, rights and interests.
Ankara supported the peaceful resolution of disputes, he added, calling on the EU and other regional actors to take constructive steps rather than adopt aggressive rhetoric detached from realities.
Erdoğan said Türkiye’s national interests would remain the guiding principle of its policy, even where defending them carried a cost.
He also stressed Ankara’s support for unity in Libya, saying Türkiye had stood alongside the Libyan people during difficult periods and wanted to see the country achieve peace, prosperity and security.
Turning to wider regional developments, Erdoğan said Türkiye was working to prevent further conflict and alleviate suffering amid growing instability.
He warned that reports of attacks on neighbouring Iran had pushed up fuel prices, adding that the region needed stability rather than new areas of confrontation.
On domestic economic policy, Erdoğan said the proposed 2027 budget would focus on public welfare, social justice and strengthening Türkiye’s resilience to external shocks.
He announced increases of 176 per cent in funding for urban regeneration and 150 per cent for social housing.
Erdoğan said spending allocated to earthquake-affected provinces would reach 5.4 trillion Turkish lira by the end of 2026, with 455,000 homes and business premises handed over to beneficiaries.
The government forecast economic growth of 4.2 per cent in 2027 and an increase in employment of 657,000, he added.
Erdoğan also said the government was working to create financial scope to improve pensioners’ circumstances, with legislation expected to be submitted for parliamentary approval before the end of the year.
