Lebanon-Cyprus maritime border agreement

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]