Greece and Libya Agree to Launch Formal Maritime Boundary Talks in Diplomatic Breakthrough

Greek Foreign Minister Giorgos Gerapetritis has announced that Athens and Tripoli person agreed to unfastened ceremonial method discussions connected delimiting their Exclusive Economic Zone and continental support boundaries, marking the astir important diplomatic breakthrough betwixt the 2 countries successful years.

The statement emerged from a time of intensive talks successful Tripoli betwixt Mr. Gerapetritis, Libyan Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibah and acting Foreign Minister Al Taher Salem Al Baour.

"We decided to beforehand the discussions of the method committees concerning the delimitation of the continental support and the Exclusive Economic Zone," Mr. Gerapetritis said, emphasizing that Greece seeks a solution grounded strictly successful the UN Convention connected the Law of the Sea.

The announcement is simply a nonstop situation to the 2019 maritime memorandum signed betwixt Libya's Tripoli-based authorities and Turkey — an statement Greece considers amerciable nether planetary instrumentality due to the fact that it disregards the continental support rights of Greek islands including Crete.

By committing to bilateral method talks, Tripoli is signaling a willingness to prosecute Athens independently of Ankara.

Beyond maritime boundaries, some sides agreed to reactivate a Joint Committee to update bilateral agreements and prosecute caller concern successful vigor and construction. Migration was besides connected the agenda.

Mr. Gerapetritis noted that irregular flows from occidental Libya person fallen to adjacent zero but warned that vigilance is needed to forestall caller smuggling corridors from opening toward Crete.

A Greek concern delegation is expected successful Tripoli soon to research maritime connectivity and logistics opportunities.

Libya's interior governmental divisions mean a last statement remains a distant prospect. But Monday's committedness to structured method dialog marks a wide departure from years of deadlock — and a meaningful displacement successful the Eastern Mediterranean's diplomatic landscape.