Athens sent a formal response in September to the Libyan government in Tripoli, addressing its objections and warnings regarding seismic surveys being conducted south of Crete. Diplomatic sources clarified the situation yesterday, emphasizing that Greece has no intention of suspending the exercise of its legitimate sovereign rights.
Athens to Tripoli: “Libya’s objections are completely unfounded” over surveys south of Crete
In the wake of Tripoli’s objections, diplomatic sources from the Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs stressed that Libya’s Verbal Note, issued on August 24, does not constitute a new document but rather reflects the country’s longstanding positions. According to the same sources, the Greek Foreign Ministry has already taken the appropriate steps, formally responding through diplomatic channels to refute the entirely unfounded claims being put forward. In its response to Libya, Athens reaffirmed its firm position that, in the absence of a maritime zone delimitation agreement with Libya, Greece consistently applies the median line principle, in full accordance with international law. Sources further noted that Libya itself has previously announced offshore blocks using the median line as its baseline.
Despite Libya’s objections, diplomatic sources maintain that interstate communication has never been severed, and that the two countries continue their technical discussions on Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) delimitation. Nevertheless, Athens has conveyed in the clearest possible terms to Tripoli that the conduct of this bilateral dialogue does not imply any suspension of Greece’s legitimate sovereign rights — nor does it signify acceptance of any unilateral claims.
It should be noted that Libya’s Verbal Note of August 24 protests the announced seismic surveys in non-delimited maritime areas south of Crete, warning that their continuation could negatively affect — or even lead to the suspension of — bilateral negotiations. Tripoli expressed concern over the Hellenic Hydrocarbon Resources Management (HHRM) international call for seismic data in western and southern Greece, including the “South of Crete 1,” “South of Crete 2,” and “Southwest of Crete” blocks, citing an alleged violation of the Libyan continental shelf.
The basis of Libya’s claims — and a shifting political landscape
Libya bases its claims on the illegal Turkey-Libya maritime memorandum, along with unilateral actions such as the closure of the Gulf of Sirte, while rejecting the effect of Greek islands — such as Gavdos — on maritime boundaries, fully aligning itself with Turkish policy. Libya’s objections are surfacing at a time when American energy giant Chevron is preparing to launch exploration activities in the blocks south of Crete.
Meanwhile, the political landscape in eastern Libya is undergoing a significant reshuffling, with Aguila Saleh being replaced as Speaker of the House of Representatives — a figure who had firmly opposed the ratification of the Turkey-Libya maritime memorandum by parliament. His successor is Al Salhin Abdel Nabi, a figure of absolute trust to Khalifa Haftar. This development shifts the weight of decision-making to the field marshal’s inner circle regarding whether the Turkey-Libya maritime memorandum will receive formal ratification.
