The Minister of Foreign Affairs, George Gerapetritis, travels today In the morning in Tripoli to continue the difficult task of re -enactment with the two warring sides of Libya.
On its agenda are recent tensions around the maritime zones, as recorded in the verbal decoration sent by Libya to the UN, questioning the Greek midfield, as well as the crucial issue of migration.
During his visit, the Greek Foreign Minister will meet with President of the Presidential Council, Mohammed Menfi, Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbayba and Libyan Foreign Minister Taler al -Baur. However, the meeting remains a heresy, as continuous armed conflicts even in the suburbs of Tripoli raise security issues for the Greek mission.
Athens had been informed days Before sending the Libyan verbal decoration to the UN, with which Tripoli essentially supports the Turkolibyyan Memorandum for the EEZ delineation.
Despite the seriousness of the disagreement, the Greek side ruled that the visit should not be canceled, as Greece’s absence in the past left a political gap that Turkey quickly filled. Additional, Following the visit of Gerapetritis In Benghazi, a possible postponement of the trip to Tripoli could be perceived as unilateral support for eastern Libya.
The subtle balance against Turkey’s background
Greece is trying to keep balance between the two sides, as Turkey is constantly expanding its influence. Recently, Lieutenant General Saddam Haftar, son of powerful General Haftar, met with the Turkish consul for the reopening of the Turkish consulate in Benghazi, while the Tripoli government signed a new military agreement with Ankara.
Turkey is seeking at the same time maintain its power in Tripoli and improve its relationships With General Haftar, so that in the event of a new single government he does not lose his acquis.
However, this double strategy has created suspicion on both sides. Haftar does not forget that in 2019 the Turkish military intervention prevented the occupation of Tripoli, while the Tripoli authorities are concerned about Erdogan’s approach with their great internal opponent.
The visit of Gerapetritis is taking place at a time when western Libya is in political turmoil, with many guerrillas and militia leaders calling for Dbaiba’s resignation.
At the table the sea zones and the Hague
In Tripoli, the Minister of Foreign Affairs will reinstate the proposal to set up technocratic groups who will examine the demarcation of marine zones, opening up the possibility of future referral of the dispute to the International Court of Justice in The Hague. Although Libya has signed, but has not been ratified, the contract for the law of the sea, Greece considers that such an appeal is a one -way street.
In the meantime the anchor continues the ‘tendencies’ to consolidate its influence, While Greece is based on its diplomatic foundations, such as participation in the UN Security Council and close relations with Egypt and other Arab countries.
It is worth noting that, although Libya has signed the Turkolibyan Memorandum, it has not moved on to the field that in question inquire the Greek midline, as the plots it has charted are within or south.
Greece, through the drawing of land and the participation of energy giants such as ExxonMobil and possibly Chevron, It has created strongly accomplished.
However, sovereignty is only guaranteed through bilateral agreements or international decisions, and no one knows how the international community will react, especially the United States, if tension in an area where large US oil companies operate.