On Monday, German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas held a meeting in Berlin with his French counterpart, Jean-Yves Le Drian. The two discussed a number of regional and international issues, including the latest developments in Libya, Iran, and the eastern Mediterranean.
During the talks, Maas stressed that the Libyan parties should continue showing restraint, abiding by the ceasefire, and resuming the UN sponsored negotiation process.
He also called for a sustainable settlement for this long-standing conflict based on international law, including the United Nations Security Council resolutions, and the outcomes of the Berlin Conference.
The two officials also discussed developments in the eastern Mediterranean.
Last year, Turkey signed an agreement with the Tripoli-based Government of National Accord (GNA) on maritime boundaries in the Mediterranean. This prompted disputes with EU member states Greece and Cyprus over energy exploration rights in the area.
With the agreement, Turkey claims “the right to manage, regulate, and dominate the distribution – if not the actual exploitation – of the vast reserves of liquid natural gas in that part of the Mediterranean”, according to Hussein Ibish, a scholar at the Arab Gulf States Institute.
The two Foreign Ministers also discussed the future of the international agreement on Iran’s nuclear program amid hopes that the incoming US administration might help breathe new life into the accord.