Libya’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation in the eastern-based government, Abdelhadi Al-Hwaij, met on Wednesday with Athanasios Anastasopoulos, the newly appointed Greek Consul General to Libya, in a step both sides described as crucial to revitalizing relations between the two Mediterranean countries.
Al-Hwaij welcomed the Greek diplomat at the ministry’s headquarters in Benghazi, expressing his hopes for a successful mission that would contribute to advancing cooperation. He stressed the importance of building on the history of collaboration between Libya and Greece while opening new avenues for joint initiatives that serve the mutual interests of both nations.
The minister highlighted that Libya considers Greece a vital Mediterranean partner, pointing to opportunities for cooperation in trade, investment, maritime affairs, and cultural exchange. He underlined that expanding such partnerships would not only benefit both economies but also enhance regional stability at a time when the Mediterranean faces overlapping political and security challenges.
For his part, Anastasopoulos thanked Al-Hwaij for the warm reception and pledged that his diplomatic mission would focus on strengthening ties and fostering practical cooperation. He emphasized Greece’s readiness to work closely with Libyan counterparts on areas of shared interest, noting that deeper bilateral relations would contribute to greater stability and prosperity.
Both officials agreed on the need for concrete steps to transform shared goodwill into tangible projects. They noted that Libya’s resources and Greece’s expertise could create meaningful partnerships in fields such as energy development, infrastructure, and maritime security.
The meeting concluded with Al-Hwaij reaffirming his ministry’s full support for the work of the Greek consulate in Libya. He said facilitating its operations was key to ensuring stronger communication channels and closer collaboration in the months ahead.