Libya has voiced strong opposition to Greece’s recent launch of international tenders for hydrocarbon exploration south of the island of Crete, claiming the move infringes on its sovereign rights in disputed maritime zones.
In a statement released by the Presidency of the Government of National Unity, Tripoli said it is following the developments “with deep concern,” stressing that some of the exploration blocks lie within maritime areas still under dispute between Libya and Greece.
The disagreement stems from the 2019 maritime boundary agreement between Libya and Turkey, a deal that Athens firmly rejected at the time, dismissing it as legally unfounded.
The Libyan authorities are calling for a mutually agreed settlement before any exploration proceeds, condemning what they describe as Greece’s unilateral actions that violate international law.
In response, Greece maintains that its actions are in full compliance with the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and said it is open to dialogue.
A visit by the Greek foreign minister to Tripoli is expected in the coming weeks, in an effort to ease tensions and address the maritime dispute through diplomatic means.
SL/ac/sf/lb/as/APA