According to Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, Libya and Greece have agreed on the resumption of bilateral talks to mark out the maritime zones in the Mediterranean Sea between the two countries. The immediate resumption of talks came as the Greek PM met with Mohamed Al-Menfi, the head of Libya’s Presidential Council, in Athens, after a formal visit from the latter.
Following the meeting between the two officials, Mitsotakis has been quoted saying to al-Menfi that Libya will always have a stable friend and ally within the European Union in Greece, so that the North African country can return to a stable and prosperous setting. In return, al-Menfi has emphasized the historical ties and friendship between the two countries and described Greece as Libya’s primary connection to the European Union.
Previous talks between Libya and Greece had broken down following the signing of a maritime agreement between Tripoli and Ankara, back in 2019. After the maritime accord between Libya and Turkey, the ambassador of Libya to Greece was expelled from the country, who also was Mohamed Al-Menfi, and relations between the two eastern Mediterranean countries turned sour. Greece has since demanded the agreement to be dropped. Libya has pointed out its unwillingness to do so.
Prior to the meeting between Libya and Greece, Libyan Prime Minister Abdulhamid Dbeibeh traveled to Ankara on Monday to sign five agreements with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. After the signing of the agreements, President Erdoğan has said that the deal serves both countries’ national interests, and that it is vital to start conversations in the interest of both parties involved.
On Thursday, Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias will visit Turkey for a meeting with his Turkish counterpart in Ankara.
