Latest news with #Turkey-Libya
Libya Review
24-07-2025
- Business
- Libya Review
Greek MEPs Push for EU Sanctions on Libya
Greek members of the European Parliament (MEPs) have intensified calls for the European Union to consider sanctions against Libya amid growing tensions over potential maritime agreements involving Turkey and Libyan military leader Khalifa Haftar, according to a report by Africa Intelligence. The lawmakers argue that any new maritime deal between Ankara and Haftar could bolster Turkey's influence in the eastern Mediterranean, a move that Athens views as a direct threat to its maritime rights and regional interests. Greece has repeatedly criticised previous Turkey-Libya agreements, claiming they violate international maritime law and ignore the rights of Greek islands. The push for EU measures comes at a time when the bloc is navigating complex regional dynamics, particularly concerning energy security and maritime boundaries. With increasing competition over gas pipelines and naval influence in the Mediterranean, Greece is urging Brussels to take a firmer stance on Libya's cooperation with Turkey. Diplomatic sources in Brussels noted that Greek representatives are lobbying both the European Commission and the European External Action Service (EEAS) to monitor developments closely. Athens believes that unchecked maritime cooperation between Libya and Turkey could destabilise the already fragile geopolitical balance in the region. The European Union has yet to issue an official response to these calls. However, analysts suggest that any decision on sanctions or policy shifts would likely require consensus among all member states, many of which maintain strong economic and political interests in Libya. The issue underscores the EU's ongoing struggle to reconcile internal divisions while maintaining influence in the eastern Mediterranean. As energy exploration and maritime boundaries remain contentious topics, Greece's latest move highlights its determination to safeguard its interests in the face of increasing regional competition. Tags: CreteeuGreecelibyaMaritimeMediterranean
Libya Review
23-07-2025
- Politics
- Libya Review
Greece Plans Legal Response to Libya's Maritime Claims
Greece is preparing a formal response to recent diplomatic communications from Libya concerning disputed maritime boundaries in the Mediterranean, according to Greek diplomatic sources cited by Ekathimerini on Tuesday. The sources stated that while these diplomatic notes carry no immediate legal effect, they may influence future judicial proceedings. 'We must be precise in what we write, and we will respond,' one official noted. Greek officials claim that Libya's maritime maps disregard the rights of islands such as Crete, which they argue are recognised under international law. However, Libya maintains that its agreements, including the 2019 Turkey-Libya maritime accord, are consistent with its sovereign rights and regional geography. Tripoli insists the memorandum with Turkey is a legitimate framework for defining maritime zones, despite Greece's objections. The maritime dispute has been further complicated by irregular migration flows across the Mediterranean. Greek authorities have linked the issue to instability in eastern Libya and are calling for coordinated European Union action. Libyan officials, however, highlight that resolving maritime and migration challenges requires dialogue and respect for Libya's sovereignty rather than unilateral measures. Despite ongoing tensions, Athens has acknowledged that Libya has informally respected the median line in contested waters. Diplomatic channels remain open, with Greece emphasising that it engages both of Libya's rival authorities at senior levels. The next Greece-Turkey High Council meeting, aimed at managing regional tensions and improving dialogue, is expected to take place in September. The outcome of these talks may have implications for maritime negotiations with Libya. Tags: CreteGreecelibyaMaritimeMediterranean
Libya Review
13-07-2025
- Politics
- Libya Review
Libya-Greece Tensions Rise Over Sea Border Claims
Libya has formally lodged a protest with the United Nations, objecting to Greece's recent claims to maritime zones south and west of the island of Crete. The move marks the first time Tripoli has officially asserted its position in the ongoing dispute over Eastern Mediterranean energy exploration rights. According to Greece's 'To Vima' newspaper, the Libyan diplomatic note was submitted to the UN on 20 June and published on 3 July. It challenges Greece's decision to allocate exploration blocks for hydrocarbons in areas Libya considers contested. At the centre of the dispute is the 2019 maritime memorandum of understanding signed between Libya and Turkey, which Athens considers invalid under international maritime law. Libya's note disputes the 'median line' Greece has used to issue licences in the area, particularly for blocks named 'Crete 1' and 'Crete 2'. Libya argues that the maritime zones in question remain unresolved and should be subject to bilateral negotiations. The diplomatic note includes maps aligning with the Turkey-Libya maritime deal, effectively nullifying Greece's exclusive economic zone (EEZ) south of Crete. Tripoli also accuses Athens of creating de facto realities that harm Libya's sovereign rights by offering exploration rights to firms such as ExxonMobil and Total. The Libyan government contends that over 85% of the 23,300-square-kilometre area advertised by Greece lies within Libya's maritime domain. While Greece insists its actions are legal under the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea and maintains that islands like Crete generate full maritime rights, it has expressed willingness to negotiate or refer the matter to the International Court of Justice if talks fail. Libya's official protest has added a new layer of tension to already complex energy and territorial disputes in the region. Tags: CreteGreecelibyaMediterraneanun
Libya Observer
05-07-2025
- Politics
- Libya Observer
Turkey reaffirms continued cooperation with Libya on maritime issues
Turkey has reaffirmed its commitment to enhancing cooperation with Libya on maritime issues within the framework of the memorandum of understanding signed between the two countries. According to Anadolu Agency, Turkish Defense Ministry sources made the remarks in response to journalists' questions at the ministry headquarters, concerning the final statement of the recent EU leaders' summit, which criticized the Turkey-Libya maritime jurisdiction agreement. The agency quoted the sources as saying that the 2019 memorandum of understanding on maritime jurisdiction zones, signed between Turkey and Libya, was prepared to protect the rights of both countries based on the principle of equity and in accordance with international maritime law. Both countries, the sources noted, had notified the United Nations of the agreement at the time. The sources rejected the characterization of the Turkey-Libya memorandum as 'illegal,' attributing such claims to the unilateral political stance of Greece and the Greek Cypriot administration. They further emphasized that the memorandum with Libya was based on the median line principle between mainland territories and the principles of non-encirclement and equality. The sources stressed that Turkey remains committed to maintaining and enhancing its cooperation with Libya on maritime matters within the framework of the signed memorandum. On November 27, 2019, Turkey and Libya signed two memoranda of understanding—one on security and military cooperation, and another on the delimitation of maritime jurisdiction zones—to protect the rights of both nations under international law.
Libya Review
01-07-2025
- Business
- Libya Review
Greece Reaffirms Rejection of Turkey-Libya Maritime Agreement
Greece's Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis has reiterated that the Turkey-Libya maritime memorandum is legally invalid, stating it has no basis in international law. His remarks came during a response to a parliamentary question posed by Greek MP Marios Salmas. 'The Turkish-Libyan memorandum is void and without legal foundation,' Gerapetritis declared, reaffirming Athens' longstanding rejection of the maritime boundary deal signed between Ankara and Tripoli in 2019. He announced his intention to visit Libya soon, aiming to seek a peaceful resolution to maritime border delimitation issues based on the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) — a framework Greece considers the only legitimate foundation for such agreements. The Greek minister confirmed that Athens has invited Libya to engage in direct dialogue over maritime boundary demarcation, signaling a diplomatic push to bypass the contested Turkish-Libyan deal. 'We have made it clear to our Libyan counterparts that Greece is committed to building good-neighborly relations,' he said, emphasizing Greece's preference for international law-based dialogue and mutual respect. The comments come amid renewed regional tension over overlapping maritime claims in the Eastern Mediterranean, as well as growing diplomatic activity surrounding energy exploration zones and exclusive economic areas (EEZs). Libya has been in chaos since a NATO-backed uprising toppled longtime leader Muammar Gaddafi in 2011. The county has for years been split between rival administrations. Libya's economy, heavily reliant on oil, has suffered due to the ongoing conflict. The instability has led to fluctuations in oil production and prices, impacting the global oil market and Libya's economy. The conflict has led to a significant humanitarian crisis in Libya, with thousands of people killed, and many more displaced. Migrants and refugees using Libya as a transit point to Europe have also faced dire conditions. The planned elections for December 2021 were delayed due to disagreements over election laws and the eligibility of certain candidates. This delay has raised concerns about the feasibility of a peaceful political transition. Despite the ceasefire, security remains a significant concern with sporadic fighting and the presence of mercenaries and foreign fighters. The unification of the military and the removal of foreign forces are crucial challenges. Tags: George GerapetritisGreecelibyaTurkeyUNCLOS
