Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has proposed a regional cooperation framework that includes Libya, Egypt, Cyprus and Turkey, according to “Keep Talking Greece” newspaper.
The initiative aims to strengthen dialogue and address shared challenges across the Eastern Mediterranean.
During his foreign policy address to Parliament, Mitsotakis outlined the concept of a “5×5” framework — a multilateral platform bringing together five countries to collaborate on five priority areas: migration, marine environment protection, connectivity, maritime zone delimitation, and civil protection.
According to diplomatic sources, the initiative is designed to respond to growing geopolitical shifts in the Mediterranean region and beyond. It seeks to foster stability, mutual understanding, and coordinated responses to issues such as irregular migration and environmental protection — challenges that have increasingly linked the participating states.
The inclusion of Libya in this proposed framework underscores Greece’s recognition of the North African nation’s strategic position and influence in regional maritime and migration matters. Libya’s coastline, one of the longest in the Mediterranean, remains a key route for migration flows, making its cooperation vital for any regional security or environmental initiative.
The Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs is expected to study the feasibility of the proposal and explore its potential to evolve into a permanent regional mechanism. Athens believes such cooperation could serve as a foundation for more structured dialogue in a region often marked by tension and overlapping interests.
If implemented, the initiative could represent a significant diplomatic step toward greater regional coordination, potentially opening new channels of communication between Greece and Libya after years of political and maritime disagreements.
