Libyan coast guards train in Greece under plan to stem migrant flows
Relations between Greece and Libya have been strained by a maritime boundary agreement signed in 2019 between the Tripoli-based Libyan government and Turkey, Greece's long-standing foe.
A tender Greece launched this year to develop hydrocarbon resources off Crete revived the tensions, while a spike in migrant flows from North Africa to Europe has prompted Athens to deploy frigates off Libya and pass legislation banning migrants arriving from Libya by sea from requesting asylum.
The division of Libya by factional conflict into eastern and western sections for more than a decade has further complicated relations. Greece said it is determined to continue talking to the Tripoli-based government and a parallel administration based in Benghazi to the east.
Coast guard officers from eastern Libya have been training in Greece, including in areas such as patrolling and search and rescue operations. Coast guard officers from western Libya are also expected to participate in the training, the sources said.
As part of efforts to improve relations, Athens last week invited Libya's internationally recognised government in Tripoli to start talks on demarcating exclusive economic zones in the Mediterranean Sea.
Missions from the countries are expected to hold talks on maritime zones in the coming months, the Greek sources said.
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