With a two-day delay, the acting Foreign Minister of Libya’s Government of National Unity, Taher El Baour, arrives in Athens on Wednesday for a meeting with Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis. The western Libyan government’s foreign minister postponed his arrival in Athens by two days due to an emergency Arab League session following developments in the Middle East.
Libyan foreign minister’s Athens visit: Energy developments and diplomatic challenges
El Baour’s arrival in Greece coincides with developments in our country’s energy map, which is now being upgraded after Chevron expressed interest in offshore blocks south of Crete. It’s worth noting that the Tripoli government had challenged Greek jurisdiction over these blocks through a verbal note to the UN. This issue is expected to occupy bilateral talks, additionally because the American energy giant Chevron has also expressed interest in blocks located south of the median line, under western Libya’s jurisdiction. According to analysts, the American energy company’s presence on both sides of the maritime zones is expected to act as a catalyst for resolving the dispute between Greece and Libya and lead jointly to EEZ demarcation.
Libya: EEZ delimitation negotiations
According to Libyan press reports, the Tripoli government has already begun dialogue processes for EEZ demarcation with Malta as well. The reports characteristically state that the Government of National Unity’s Foreign Ministry announced an agreement with Malta’s government “to discuss the issue of maritime borders and extend these discussions to multilateral talks if they intersect with a third country or more”.
In this direction, both sides are expected to seek setting a date for starting talks between technical committees established by both sides in August. It should be noted that the last negotiations conducted with Libya for EEZ designation stopped in 2010.
Turkey-Libya deal at the center of discussions
However, beyond all developments and under their weight, the notorious Turkey-Libya memorandum signed by the Government of National Unity with Turkey is expected to top the agenda. Competent sources commented to parapolitika.gr that the Greek side has two other “assets” in requesting the lifting of the “invalid and illegal” Turkey-Libya memorandum. The first concerns Egypt’s de facto challenge to its implementation in the field, after starting explorations in areas that Tripoli claims based on the Turkey-Libya memorandum and had even granted last June for explorations to the Turkish Petroleum Corporation (TRAO). Second, the reluctance shown by the House of Representatives to proceed with ratifying the memorandum is expected to play a significant role in talks, after assurances given, according to information, in meetings held last Monday in Athens by Belgasim Haftar with the Prime Minister and Foreign Minister. As Athens estimates, such a possibility has been removed for now.
Greece’s strategic advantages
Another strong card Athens holds and is expected to be raised in bilateral talks on Wednesday is Greece’s position in the EU and the United Nations as an elected member of the Security Council. The North African country, as it suffers from conflicts and with upcoming electoral processes, seeks support in Europe and the UN.
