Lebanon-Cyprus maritime border agreement

Lebanon–Cyprus maritime border agreement, also known by its full name, Agreement between the Republic of Lebanon and the Republic of Cyprus on the Delimitation of the Exclusive Economic Zone, is a maritime agreement signed between Lebanon and Cyprus on November 25, 2025. The agreement that was signed at the Baabda Palace near Beirut by Cypriot president Nikos Christodoulides and Lebanese president Joseph Aoun, comes after more than 20 years both countries tried to agree on gas exploration zones in the Eastern Mediterranean.

Background

January 2007 was the first time Cyprus and Lebanon talked about an agreement that will define an EEZ boundary, based on a median line between the two coasts. Cyprus agreed to the terms but due to political tension, divisions and Lebanon's maritime dispute with Israel, and regional pressure over overlapping Eastern Mediterranean claims, it was stalled in parliament. During this time, Cyprus signed a separate EEZ agreement with Israel and Egypt, building its status in regional gas cooperation.[1][2]

Lebanese officials claimed that the 2007 line agreed with Cyprus could have weaken Lebanon position in its talks with Israel. Both countries signed an agreement in 2022, with mediation of the US. The agreement removed one of the main legal and political barriers to finishing the Cyprus–Lebanon boundary. The economic crisis in Lebanon brought more interest in offshore gas, even though no commercial viable fields were found yet. This brought in 2023, officials from Beirut and Cyprus to restart technical and diplomatic talks based on the 2007 understandings. In October 2025, Lebanese cabinet approved the new agreement with Cyprus, which opened the way for formal signing.[1]

Signing

On 25 November, 2025, the agreement was signed by both countries' presidents in Baabda. President Christodoulides in the joint press conference referred to the agreement as a "milestone of strategic importance".[2][1] saying that it brought to an end two decades of intermittent talks and “sealed” the level of relations between the two states. President Aoun said the agreement would allow both countries to proceed with the exploration and development of their marine resources and could serve as a basis for broader regional cooperation.[3][4][5]

Main points

The main points of the agreement are:

Delimitation of the EEZ / maritime boundary

The agreement defines a maritime boundary line between Cyprus and Lebanon mainly based on the /median line used in the 2007 provisional agreement and in Cyprus's EEZ agreements with Egypt and Israel. The line enables each state an exclusive economic zone where it enjoys sovereign rights over natural resources, including hydrocarbons and fisheries.[6][4][7]

Reference to international law

Both sides stated that the agreement is based on UNCLOS, relevant principles of international law and “good-neighbourly relations”.[6][4][5]

Energy cooperation

The agreement removes legal uncertainty regarding offshore exploration blocks near the Cyprus-Lebanon line. Officials from both countries linked the delimitation directly to future licensing rounds and to efforts to attract international energy companies, particularly as Europe seeks alternatives to Russian gas supplies.[8][5]

Infrastructure and interconnection

Cypriot and Lebanese statements also referred to exploring an electricity interconnection between the two countries and enhancing cooperation in energy, telecommunications and tourism, although such projects would require separate technical studies and agreements.[6]

Implication on Lebanon

Lebanon has been in a deep economic and financial crisis since 2019. Over the years its governments showed interest in offshore gas exploration as a possible, but uncertain, way to bring in money and foreign investment. The government presented the agreement as another step toward using Lebanon's offshore resources, after the 2022 maritime deal with Israel.[5][8][6]

The agreement was criticized by Hezbollah linked media and politicians, claiming it weakened Lebanon's position in the Eastern Mediterranean and involved giving up part of its sovereignty. Supporters replied that the agreement confirmed Lebanon's rights as recognized by the United Nations and strengthened its hand with international energy companies.[9]

Cypriot perspective

For Cyprus, this agreement is received as the missing link in a chain of maritime agreements following the ones signed with Egypt and Israel. These agreements are the legal base for its energy and maritime policy in the Eastern Mediterranean. Cypriot officials say the 2025 deal strengthens Cyprus's role as a regional energy power and helps its position in the ongoing disputes with Turkey.[4][6]

As of 2025, Cyprus has already found several offshore gas fields and wants to export gas to the EU through pipelines or LNG projects. Clearly fixing the border with Lebanon helps attract investors and reduces the risk of future overlapping claims.[4]

Regional and international reactions

Turkey and Northern Cyprus

Turkey criticized the agreement, claiming it ignores the rights of Turkish Cypriots and is therefore “unacceptable”. The Turkish Ministry of Defense and Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that any maritime arrangement made by the Republic of Cyprus without the participation of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) has no legitimacy in Ankara’s view.[10][11]

Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar also condemned the agreement, saying that Greek Cypriot authorities were acting on behalf of the entire island while excluding Turkish Cypriots from decision-making on offshore resources.[12]

International reactions

The European Union members welcomed the agreement, as well as other countries involved in Eastern Mediterranean energy cooperation. They acknowledged the importance of the agreement to regional stability and to diversification of Europe's energy supplies.[5]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c "Lebanon and Cyprus finalize sea border agreement after an almost 20-year impasse". The Washington Post. 2025-11-26. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved 2025-11-27.
  2. ^ a b "Lebanon, Cyprus sign maritime deal, paving way for possible energy exploration". 2025.
  3. ^ "Aoun, Michel, (born 30 Sept. 1933), President, Republic of Lebanon, since 2016", Who's Who, Oxford University Press, 2017-12-01, retrieved 2025-11-27
  4. ^ a b c d e "Cyprus, Lebanon sign 'milestone' agreement". cyprus-mail.com. 2025-11-26. Retrieved 2025-11-27.
  5. ^ a b c d e "Lebanon, Cyprus sign historic maritime demarcation agreement". english.news.cn. Retrieved 2025-11-27.
  6. ^ a b c d e "Lebanon, Cyprus sign maritime deal, paving way for possible energy exploration". 2025.
  7. ^ "Lebanon, Cyprus sign maritime border agreement". 2025.
  8. ^ a b Chehayeb, Kareem (2025-11-26). "Lebanon and Cyprus finalize sea border agreement after an almost 20-year impasse". AP News. Retrieved 2025-11-27.
  9. ^ "Lebanon Draws Maritime Border With Cyprus, Parliament Has No Say". 2025.
  10. ^ "Turkey says Lebanon-Cyprus maritime deal violates Turkish Cypriots' rights, is unacceptable". 2025.
  11. ^ "Cyprus-Lebanon maritime agreement challenges Turkey's 'Blue Homeland' doctrine". in-cyprus.philenews.com. 2025-11-27. Retrieved 2025-11-27.
  12. ^ "Turkish Cypriot leader criticises Cyprus-Lebanon deal, vows to bypass talks isolation". in-cyprus.philenews.com. 2025-11-27. Retrieved 2025-11-27.
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