With all the “papers” coming out on the table, the Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis It is expected to arrive this morning in Tripoli for the second part of a difficult task of restoring channels with both sides in Libyathe practical response to the challenge of Greek zonebut also the treatment of migratory. According to planning, the Minister of Foreign Affairs will meet with Presidential Council President M. Menfi, Prime Minister A. Dbaiba and Foreign Affairs Minister Taher al -Baur.
Of course, today’s visit depends on “exogenous” factors, as the security of the Greek mission should be ensured due to frequent daily conflicts, even on its outskirts. Tripolibetween militias competing for areas of areas and for greater participation in the law of power.
Athens knew days before Libyan verbal decoration in the UNwith which Tripoli challenges the Greek midline and promotes – albeit indirectly – its claim against Greece relying on its “delimitation” Turquoise. However, it was considered that the existence of this serious disagreement should not lead to a postponement of the visit for many reasons.
First of all, it has been shown in the “Libya” dossier that as many times as Greece was absent, unpleasant “surprises” followed. At the same time, however Following the visit of the Greek Foreign Minister to Benghaziit would be the impression that with the postponement of the visit to Tripoli, Greece takes part in the civil dispute, supporting Eastern Libya against Tripoli.
Difficult balances and Turkey
And at this juncture, Athens must, however difficult, to comply with balance, despite the fact that in principle with her East Libya Consultation from 2019 onwards was easier. Athens has no chance of leaving another lost ground in Libya, where Turkey He is trying to get a serious penetration in Benghazi. Just yesterday, the Lieutenant General Saddam Happyone of the sons of the general, met with the Turkish consul to discuss the reopening of the Turkish Consulate General in Benghazi, while a few days earlier the Tripoli government signed a new military cooperation agreement with Turkey.
Turkey, in the face of routing political developments in the country, is trying to restore relations with General Happycontinuing the support of the Tripoli government so that, if a new single government emerges, to ensure the acquis and maintain its influence in the country.
Of course, this Turkish policy has caused the suspicion of both sides. Haftar does not forget that in early 2019 he would have occupied Tripoli if there was no Turkish military intervention on the side of the then Prime Minister of Tripoli, Albawhile in Tripoli they see with great concern the opening of the “father -in -law” Erdogan to their great inner opponent, General Happy.
Mr Gerapetritis will arrive in Tripoli at a time when internal controversy in western Libya have reached the height, with many guerrillas and leaders of militia teams to call for the resignation and replacement of Dbeyba.
The sea zones
In Tripoli, G. Gerapetritis is expected to discuss The major issue that has arisen with the marine zones, as reflected in the Libyan verbal decoration at the UN, And he will propose, as he did in Benghazi, the definition of technocratic groups on both sides that will begin discussions on the issue of demarcation.
Such a discussion, despite the fact that Libya has signed but not ratified the Contract for sea lawcould highlight the prospect of referring to International Court of Haguethe difference between Greece and Libya. The difference is now established and recorded with the two countries’ letters from 2019 onwards to the UN.
OR Greece He is convinced that Turkey’s bidding policy on both sides has only to confront the powerful weapon of the European Union, its participation in the UN Security Council, but also the high level of understanding with Egypt and the Arab countries. And there are many convincing arguments both towards Tripoli and Benghazi for what consequences will have a serious challenge to Greece.
Libya, who co -operated in his signature TurquoiseUnlike Turkey, which, according to it, hastened to declare an illegally EEZ on the side of the “demarcation”, thereby reflecting the “blue homeland”, in addition to protests, diamonds and verbal intercourse to the UN, it has not so far made moves. Thus, it gives the picture that it does not question the Greek midline in practice. This was also evident with the plots it launched, as everything is on the border or south of the Greek midline.
Greece, by Law 4001/2011, but mainly with the design of the plots and their licensing process, has imposed a serious accomplishment in Libya. This completion is reinforced by the involvement of EXXONMOBIL’s Crete and Chevron’s intention to participate in the plots south of Crete.
Of course, the involvement of large companies It is not the one that “guarantees” sovereignty and sovereign rights, as nothing prevents Libya from offering plots that will overlap the Greek midline to foreign companies. Despite any moves, the EEZ is only under bilateral agreement or by a decision of an international judicial mechanism.
And right now, no one can predict what will happen if the international factor, and especially Washington, decides to deal with a crisis between Greece and Libya, in areas where – outside Turkey and Egypt – are also involved in large American oil companies, such as Chevronaspire to obtain a significant footprint in the area, ignoring the aspirations of the states of the region.