Lebanon and Cyprus Sign Landmark Maritime Border Agreement

Lebanon and Cyprus have signed a long-awaited maritime border agreement, concluding nearly two decades of negotiations and setting the stage for potential offshore energy exploration in the Eastern Mediterranean.

On November 26, 2025, Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides formalized the accord at the Baabda Presidential Palace near Beirut. This agreement delineates the Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZs) of both nations, facilitating the exploration and development of offshore resources.

The journey to this agreement began in 2007 when Lebanon and Cyprus reached a preliminary deal to define their maritime boundaries. However, Lebanon's maritime dispute with Israel and internal political challenges delayed ratification. A significant breakthrough occurred in 2022 when Lebanon and Israel, with U.S. mediation, resolved their maritime border issues, paving the way for Lebanon to finalize its deal with Cyprus.

President Christodoulides hailed the agreement as a "historic agreement," emphasizing the potential for enhanced cooperation between the two countries. President Aoun echoed this sentiment, stating that the signing sends "a clear... invitation" to entities interested in collaborating with Lebanon.

The agreement is expected to bolster Lebanon's efforts to alleviate its economic crisis through offshore hydrocarbon exploration. Cyprus, having discovered approximately 20 trillion cubic feet of gas, views this as an opportunity to supply European markets seeking alternatives to Russian gas.

However, the agreement has drawn criticism from Turkey, which asserts that it infringes upon the rights of Turkish Cypriots. The Turkish Defense Ministry stated, "It is not possible for us to accept any agreement in which the rights of the TRNC are disregarded." Turkish Foreign Ministry spokesman Oncu Keceli added that the Greek Cypriot administration lacks the authority to act on behalf of the entire island and urged the international community not to support unilateral decisions that disregard Turkish Cypriots.

Despite Turkey's objections, the agreement marks a significant step in regional diplomacy and energy cooperation. It also leaves Syria as the only neighboring country with which Lebanon has yet to delineate its maritime boundaries.

As Lebanon and Cyprus move forward with this agreement, the focus will be on leveraging their offshore resources to foster economic growth and strengthen bilateral relations, while navigating the complex geopolitical landscape of the Eastern Mediterranean.