“There are no problems that cannot be resolved through dialogue,” George Gerapetritis said, among other things, in his meetings with the political leadership of the Tripoli government in Libya, following talks in Benghazi with General Haftar on July 6th.
As part of the visit, the Greek Foreign Minister met with Libyan his counterpart, Tag Al Barewhile he also had conversations with the prime minister Abdul Hamid Dbaiba and President of the Mohammed Presidential Council Mendy
According to diplomatic sources, the Greek Foreign Minister presented the present situation in Greece with the rapid increase in migratory flows from Tombrouk To Crete, in the midst of a tourist season. He stressed that it is important not to consolidate a new migratory route. It was agreed that there should be consultation on the control of land and maritime borders, and the Libyan side called for Greece to assist both bilaterally and within the EU and the United Nations Security Council.
For the sea zones
According to diplomatic sources, the Foreign Minister stressed that Greece seeks to resolve any issue of marine zones with its neighboring countries, in accordance with international sea law.
Agreed the readiness of Greece and Libya as states with objects Coasts, to discuss EEZ delimitation in the near future. Concerning the call for a tender for hydrocarbon mining investigations on two maritime plots south of Crete, the Greek Foreign Minister emphasized that Greece exercises its sovereign rights under international law and does not act at the expense of third parties.
The bilateral cooperation
Mr. Caracetite He made Greece’s pursuit of bilateral relations with Tripoli, with an emphasis on the economy and investment. Libya is an important commercial partner of Greece, so that additional areas of cooperation are explored in the fields of energy, construction and transport.
According to the same diplomatic sources, the successive visits of the Minister of Foreign Affairs In Benghazi (06.07) and Tripoli (15.07), Libya are valued as highly constructive and satisfactory, which created a positive momentum in Greece -Libya relations.
The declaration of Gerapetritis
“It is a great honor to be in Tripoli today. On behalf of the Greek government and the Greek people, I convey to you a message of peace, friendship and good neighborly. Libya is a natural neighbor for Greece. It is an ally of culture and history, and our aim is to continue the path together for a wider regional security and peace. There are no problems that cannot be resolved through dialogue and those that unite us, such as geography and history, are much more than those that divide us. That is why I look forward to our cooperation and I hope my visit is the beginning of a good and constructive relationship between the two countries and our governments. Greece can and should be the voice of Libya in Europe and the world, “said George Gerapetritis after completing his talks with the leadership of the Libyan national unity government, based in Tripoli.
Taner al -Baour, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Tripoli government, welcoming the Greek Foreign Minister, emphasized the historical and cultural relations that unite the two peoples of the Mediterranean, characterizing bilateral relations timeless, despite difficulties. “There are always issues that affect relationships, he said – and added: Of course, these problems should not be obstacles to relations between states, especially as we are in the same region. The Mediterranean is one of the most beautiful areas in the world … These factors are forcing us politicians to work for our relationships, “he said, expressing hope” this journey is a beginning to give a good turn to the relations between the two countries. ” According to reports, the Libyan Foreign Minister raised the issue of maritime zones, despite the fact that the meeting took place in the shadow of Libya’s verbal deal at the UN. on the basis of which the transitional government challenges the midline as a maritime zone delineation starting point, aligning with the Turkolibycus Memorandum. However, Athens points out that, despite the Libyan side’s disputes, the fact that the text of the verbal deal is invoked in international law and the provisions of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea leaves several room for dialogue between the two sides.
The announcement issued by the Libyan government after the meetings are stated:
The prime minister Abdelhamid Debiba He accepted, on Tuesday, at his office at the Council of Ministers, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Hellenic Republic, George Gerateritite.
During the meeting, they discussed ways to strengthen the joint cooperation between the two countries, especially in economy and services, while discussing the opening of the Greek airspace for Libya’s air traffic and the resumption of direct flights between the two countries.
The two sides emphasized the importance of continuing the immediate dialogue to ensure respect for national sovereignty, maintaining good neighborly relationships and serving the common interests of the Libyan and Greek people.