Libya–Turkey relations

The envoys of the European Union, Italy and Germany in the Turkish capital Ankara were summoned to the country's Foreign Ministry on Nov. 23 in the wake of a controversial search of a Turkish-flagged ship by an EU naval mission a day earlier.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Monday that he has reached agreements with his U.S. counterpart Donald Trump that could herald a "new era" concerning Libya.

Erdogan made the comment in a television interview following a telephone call with the U.S. president, but did not elaborate on the agreements reached. 

Turkey will not allow any uncertainty in Libya, said Vice President Fuat Oktay on May 29, and voiced full support for Libya's legitimate government.

Speaking at a virtual meeting of Atlantic Council and Turkish Heritage Organization, Oktay stressed that illegal forces loyal to renegade commander Khalifa Haftar should recognize Prime Minister Fayez al-Sarraj's government.

Turkish President said that "there are elements of the Syrian People's Army on the ground," ANSA reported.
He added that Libyan General Khalifa Haftar wanted Turkey out of the country and asked "why there is no talk of Russian forces amounting to 2.000 people supporting Haftar."

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and German Chancellor Angela Merkel held a phone conversation on Jan. 18, according to Turkey's Communications Directorate.

The two leaders discussed Libya and other regional issues, said a directorate statement.

Turkey has done its part in reaching an agreement in Moscow between warring sides in Libya and the rest is now under Russia's responsibility, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said on Jan. 14.

"We did our duty, the rest is with Mr. Putin and his team. We never not keep our promise," Erdoğan said, speaking to his party members.

Turkey's parliament has authorized sending troops to Libya to help the UN-supported government in Tripoli battle forces loyal to a rival government.
Turkish lawmakers voted 325-184 at an emergency session on Thursday in favor of allowing a one-year mandate to deploy troops.

In his New Year's message Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan indicated there is a conspiracy to lock Turkey out of the Eastern Mediterranean and that his deal with Libya regarding the two countries' Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZ) - which arbitrarily cut deeply in Greece's EEZ in the region - is a guarantee of Turkey's presence in the region.

Turkey's defense minister expressed his hopes to resolve an ongoing disagreement with Russia on Libya through dialogue, days before the Turkish Parliament is to vote for the deployment of Turkish troops to the war-torn country.