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.
