Tensions are flaring between Greece and Libya just days before Greek Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis is set to visit Tripoli. Libya’s Government of National Unity (GNU) has issued a sharp rebuke, accusing Greece of violating its sovereign rights by inviting international bids for hydrocarbon exploration south of Crete.
The Libyan Foreign Ministry stated it’s “following with intense concern” Greece’s recent announcement, asserting that some of the contested maritime areas fall within disputed waters claimed by Libya. Tripoli considers this a “clear violation” of its sovereignty and firmly opposes any activities in these zones without a prior legal agreement in line with international law.
Libya reiterated its commitment to peaceful cooperation in the Mediterranean, but warned that unilateral actions only fuel tensions. They urged Athens to act responsibly, respect historical ties, and pursue dialogue as the only path toward lasting, lawful solutions “based on the rules of International Law and the safeguarding of the interests of all parties.”
The Turkey-Libya maritime deal is at play
At the heart of the dispute is a 2019 memorandum of understanding between Turkey and Libya’s GNU, which delineates maritime boundaries granting both countries access to a vast economic zone in the Mediterranean.
This agreement has been widely criticized by Greece, Cyprus, Egypt, and even the rival Libyan government in Tobruk, which doesn’t recognize the GNU’s authority.
Greece has repeatedly called for Libya to scrap the agreement with Turkey. “For Greece, it is very important to annul illegal documents, PM Mitsotakis has said.
“They were presented as supposedly transnational agreements but have no legal effect, as expressly stated by the European Council,” he added.
Greece’s stance and Libya’s Turkish outreach
Sources from the Greek Ministry of Environment and Energy have countered Libya’s claims, stating that “Greece is actively exercising its sovereign rights with steadfast commitment to international law and the law of the sea.”
They added that “The Greek government does not abandon dialogue, but always within the framework of international legality.”
In a move clearly intended to send another message to Athens, Libyan Energy Minister Abdel Sadiq met with the Turkish ambassador to Libya on Wednesday. Their discussions focused on strengthening strategic ties in the oil and gas sector, including potential cooperation between the Libyan National Oil Company and the Turkish Petroleum Corporation (TPAO) to increase investment and technical exchanges.
This follows the Libyan minister’s call for the return of Turkish oil companies during a recent natural resources summit in Istanbul.
The escalating rhetoric and Libya’s visible deepening of energy ties with Turkey underscore the complexities and sensitivities surrounding hydrocarbon exploration in the Eastern Mediterranean.
Related: Greece-Egypt Deal Undercuts Turkey-Libya Illegal Agreement