Unexpected involvement has arisen in the process of preparing the visit of Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis to Libya, where he was to visit both Tripoli and Benghazi, as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Provisional Government issued a statement by which he was issued by a statement by which Greece Libya.
The Greek side’s reaction was immediate, with sources from the Ministry of Energy commenting that “Greece is practicing its sovereign rights with a steady commitment to international law and sea law. The Greek government does not abandon the dialogue, but always in the context of international legality. ” “We are not afraid to exercise our sovereign rights. The Greek Foreign Minister will visit Libya next time, “government sources commented.
The Libyan Foreign Minister
The Libyan Foreign Ministry is concerned about the publication in the EU on June 12, 2025, of the announcement of the Greek authorities for the launch of an international bidding invitation to grant licenses for the exploration and exploitation of hydrocarbons in the marine areas of the seaside areas. the Libyan state.
While the Ministry confirms that these steps constitute a clear violation of Libya’s sovereign rights, it expresses its full reservations and his clear opposition to any exploration or drilling activities in these areas, without prior legal agreement that respects the rules of international law.
In this context, the Libyan Foreign Ministry confirms that Libya “has always sought and continues to seek to turn the Mediterranean basin into a space of cooperation, peace and common development among all coastal states and that unilateral solutions lead to further intensity. Based on these reservations and objections, we hope that the Greek authorities will responsibly examine the depth of historical relations between the two countries. We call for the pursuit of constructive dialogue and negotiation as the only option to achieve just and equal solutions based on applicable international law and maintaining the interests of all. “
This reaction is coming, while the Greek side had expressed the desire, in contacts with western and eastern Libya, to take the visit of the Gerapetritis in both areas, seeking to maintain the balance and to restore the channels of communication with both sides, Turquoise.
In Athens it was satisfied with the fact that so far there have been no reactions to the licensing process of the two plots south of Crete, which were defined on the average line and de facto overlapping part of the area that Libyan may claim based on the Turkish. The American colossus Chevron has already expressed interest in these plots.
The Tripoli government thus reacts to Athens’ attempt to restore contacts with Eastern Libya, indirectly bringing the Turkolibyy Memorandum to the forefront.
The reaction of the Libyan Foreign Minister, however, adds new data to the planning visit to Tripoli to Tripoli, as it gives the opportunity to a well -prepared proposal to the two sides of Libya to resume dialogue on the issue of the two -dimensional demarcation. If there is no effect, then the difference could be referred to the Hague. Libya has already done something in the past for the demarcation of the EEZ with Malta and Tunisia.
Following the contacts that the Greek Ambassador in Tripoli had in eastern Libya in Tripoli, N. Garilidis, and the Consul General Mr. Kalognomis with the Speaker of Parliament A. Saleh, had finalized the program of visits to Tripoli and Benghazi for the first week of July, Government that has appointed Parliament in Eastern Libya. According to information from Tobrouk, assurances had been given that the negative attitude towards the Turkish -tired memorandum remains stable.
It is no coincidence that, wanting Tripoli to send another message, a meeting of Energy Minister Abdel Sandik was held on Wednesday with the Turkish ambassador to Libya, where the strengthening of strategic bonds in the oil and gas sector was examined, according to a statement.
The discussions included a possible cooperation between the Libyan National Petroleum Society and the Turkish Petroleum Society (TPAO), with the aim of increasing investment and technical exchanges, while the Libyan minister had requested the return of Turkish oil companies during his meeting with his meeting with his meeting with the Minister of Energy. in Constantinople last month.
SYRIZA’s position
SYRIZA issued a statement on the issue that arose with Libya, stating that the party: “It expresses its strong protest over the announcement of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Libyan Provisional Government, which accuses Greece of attempting to attempt its sovereignty.
This new Libyan challenge comes in the follow of the establishment of a committee by the Libyan parliament in order to examine the validity of the invalid and illegal Turkolibyan Memorandum and is essentially a proof of the alignment of Tripoli and Benghazi with those who are strike.
This new diplomatic failure is a product of Mitsotakis’ unpaid foreign policy plan, and moreover, while the Foreign Minister is expected to visit Libya. Mr. Gerapetritis has to explain to the Greek people what the level of preparation is for the visit in question and why another negative development has emerged at the expense of our national interests.
The government has to immediately exert the necessary diplomatic pressure at bilateral and European level in order to comply with Libya with international law and to scratch a responsible foreign policy with a beginning, middle and finally in order to stop leading the country from defeat to defeat. “