On Thursday, Libya’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation voiced strong objection to Greece’s recent decision to open an international tender for hydrocarbon exploration in areas of the Mediterranean Sea claimed by both countries.
In an official statement, the ministry expressed “deep concern” over an announcement published in Issue No. 3335 of the European Journal on June 12, 2025, which detailed Greece’s plans to issue exploration and drilling licenses in waters south of Crete.
Libya maintains that some of the maritime zones identified in the Greek tender fall within contested boundaries that remain unresolved between the two states. According to the ministry, the move represents a “clear violation of Libya’s sovereign rights” and is unacceptable in the absence of prior legal agreements between the two nations.
The statement emphasized that Libya is committed to resolving maritime disputes through dialogue and mutual respect, grounded in international law. It warned that unilateral actions such as Greece’s could increase tension and complicate already sensitive regional dynamics.
“Libya has consistently advocated for the Mediterranean to be a space of cooperation, peace, and shared development among all neighboring countries,” the statement read. “Unilateral decisions only deepen divisions and risk destabilizing the region.”
The ministry urged the Greek government to act responsibly and take into account the long-standing ties between the two countries. It called on Athens to prioritize constructive negotiations and legal frameworks as the only sustainable path toward a fair resolution.
This diplomatic protest comes amid ongoing friction over maritime claims in the Eastern Mediterranean, where energy exploration has become a source of growing contention. Libya’s 2019 maritime agreement with Turkey and Greece’s separate arrangements with regional partners have further complicated the geopolitical landscape.
