Fronts not only with Greece but also with other neighboring countries has opened Libya, following the decision of the Tripoli government to unilaterally deposit to the UN the external boundaries of its EEZ, which it is on the basis of the Turkish -based memorandum, as well as the agreement to concession to the Turkish company TPAO.
Following Greece’s reactions – and with the second verbal decoration at the UN on September 3, (See letter) Like Egypt, a strong reaction is also manifested by Malta, a country with which Libya has appealed to The Hague and has issued a decision to delimit since 1985.
Valletta has proceeded with two verbal intercourse to Tripoli by calling it to dialogue. Interestingly, the Foreign Minister of the Tripoli Temporary Government of Tripoli Salem al -Baur rushed to Malta and after a meeting with the government agreed to initiate negotiations to resolve the pending issue of marine zones. They even left open the possibility of participating in talks and third -party interests in the region, photographing Italy in the east and Tunisia to the west.
Al Baour will be in Athens next Wednesday, reciprocating the visit to Tripoli by his Greek counterpart George Gerapetritis. So it seems that there is an important opportunity to exert pressure from Athens to launch the first meeting of the two countries’ negotiating groups on the issue of marine zones.
Pressure from Greece is clearly greater as by the licensing process of two plots south of Cretewhich enters the American colossus Chevron, creates a very serious accomplishment of our country against the claims of Libya based on the Turkish -tired Memorandum.
The challenge of tensions with two EU member states, Greece and Malta, as well as with the strongest neighbor, Egypt, opens fronts that Tripoli obviously cannot face. Indeed, at a time when the fermentations culminate in the start of the political solution process, the Libyan government would not want to be found isolated by the EU. And in an open confrontation with a UN Security Council member.
Although confidence in the two sides of Libya is limited, the juncture may prove to be favorable to the start of negotiations, even for the prospect of appealing the Hague, where the pressure will be in fact the need to include in the co -existing and examination of his legality. Turquoise.
Malta’s reaction
According to Malta’s first verbal diagnosis, the map and coordinates that Tripoli at the UN letter to the 27th of the 27th of Tripoli are fully challenged, as they are pointed out the continental shelf and EEZ of Malta.
Libya unilaterally on either side of the bordered line that the International Court of Justice has ruled that it could make its own demarcation by moving the middle line at the expense of Malta. As the Maltese verbal diagnosis states, Libya uses the middle line method between continental coasts, thus altering the demarcation. It is characteristic that Libya, following the demarcation between continental coasts and ignoring the islands (as it did in the Turkolibyan Memorandum) ensures that it does not disturb the narrow Italy ally, as it considers it to consider it. Sicily part of mainland Italy.
Malta, however, expresses her strong disagreement about Tripoli’s practice to close the Gulf of Sirta and invites her to return to the base lines that had been agreed in 1973.
Malta’s second verb was made on the occasion of the agreement signed by Libya and Turkey state -owned companies, NOC and TPAO respectively, in July and with which four plots are granted to the Turkish company for investigations. OR Malta It calls for the memorandum signed by the two companies the part of plot 1 that occupies the continental shelf and its EEZ and not to be conducted by geological and/or geophysical surveys in this section of the area 1. In addition, Malta states that no marine research can be conducted in its scientific research. It is particularly interesting that in the case of Malta, as in Egypt, the plots that Libya has engraved – and according to announcements have been granted to Turkish TRAO for investigations – violate the boundaries with the two countries (for which there is certainly no agreement). Something that Tripoli did in relation to Greece, where all the plots it has charted follow the midline, which is set by Law 4001/2011.
The texts of verbal intercourse
Verbal Declaration No 1767/2025:
“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Tourism of the Republic of Malta expresses its congratulations to the Embassy of the State of Libya and has the honor to refer to the verbal Declaration of 27 May 2025 of the permanent mission of Libya to the UN Secretary -General (UN). A/79/2016).
The Ministry wishes to point out with respect that parts of the continental shelf claimed by Libya in the aforementioned verbal diaphragm, which has been deposited with the UN Secretary -General, violate the continental shelf and the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) between 18 and 18 and 18
The ruling of the International Court of Justice (ID) in 1985 on the Libyan Arabian Court/Malta continental shelf was limited between the 13 ° 50 ‘and 15 ° 10’ meridians in accordance with paragraph 22 of the Decision. According to the United Nations Convention on Sea Law (UNCLOS) and earlier sources of international law, Malta is entitled to a continental shelf and EEZ east and west of these meridians. Consequently, in the absence of an agreement between Malta and Libya on the demarcation of the rest of the continental shelf and EEZ east and west of that 1985 decision, the midline between Malta and Libya should be adopted east of 18 and west of the above -mentioned point. Libya incorrectly follows the midline between continental Italy, including the island of Sicily, and the continental Libya east of 18 and west of point 28 of the aforementioned verbal transnational. This unilateral approach adopted by Libya through the aforementioned verbal diaphragm violates international law, including Articles 74 and 83 of UNCLOS.
In addition, as it was repeatedly mentioned and repeated through verbal dia. 37/2023/LY dated 20 December 2023, the Maltese government cannot accept or recognize the claim that the Gulf of Syrtis, south of a line that is drawn along 32 ° and 30 ‘north, is part of the Libyan territory or the Libyan domination. The Malta government still considers a base line for the delimitation of Libyan territorial waters and the continental shelf the internationally recognized base lines in force before October 1973. ” For the benefit of the extremely friendly relations and cooperation between Malta and Libya, the ministry wishes to reiterate Malta’s desire to conduct discussions with Libya in order to achieve a fair solution under international law, including Articles 74 (1) and 83 (1) Economic Zone east and west of the decision of the ID of 1985.
Valletta, August 18th 2025 »
Verbal Declaration Ref: 102/2025/LY, July 9
“The Embassy of the Republic of Malta expresses to the state of Libya its congratulations to the Honorable Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (Directorate -General for Protocol) and has the honor to refer to recent reports in the international press on a memorandum of agreement (” MS “) (Türkiye Petrolleri Anonim Ortaklığı – TPAO).
According to these reports, the MS It was signed on June 25, 2025 and predicts that TPAO will conduct geological and geophysical surveys in four marine areas, and will conduct two -dimensional seismic research.
The Maltese authorities wish to point out with respect that part of one of the areas (region 1) referring to the Memorandum of Understanding tramples the Malta continental shelf and exclusive economic zone (EEZ), on which Malta enjoys sovereign rights for exploration and exploitation.
Under these circumstances, the Maltese authorities request that the section of region 1 occupy the continental shelf and EEZ of Malta be removed from the scope of the Memorandum of Understanding and not conducting geological and/or geophysical surveys in this part of the area 1. In addition, and to avoid doubts, In her EEZ without her consent.
Malta authorities are calling on the Libyan state government to begin discussions about areas with overlapping interests of shelf and EEZ in order to pursue an agreement under international law in such overlapping areas to achieve a fair solution.
The Embassy of the Republic of Malta in the Libyan state is taking place of this opportunity to renew the Honorable Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Libyan State (Directorate -General for Protocol) to assure its higher estimates
July 9, 2025 in Tripoli ».
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