Tensions between Athens and Tripoli escalate .. and a Greek message to the United Nations
August 7, 202578 ViewsRead Time: 2 minutes
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The maritime dispute in the Eastern Mediterranean is escalating, after Greece sent an official letter to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, and issued a diplomatic note to the Government of National Unity in Tripoli, confirming its complete rejection of Libyan maritime claims, considering them "lacking any legal basis" according to what was published by the Greek newspaper Kathimerini.
Through the letter, Athens emphasized its sovereign rights over its continental shelf and natural resources in the concerned maritime areas, especially in the region south of the Peloponnese and the island of Crete, noting that these areas fall entirely within its jurisdiction according to international maritime law.
The letter also pointed out that these areas have been published since 2014 in the official publications of the European Union and national publications, without Libya registering any objection until that time, which Athens considered as implicit acceptance from the Libyan side.
Greece also sharply criticized the maritime memorandum of understanding signed between Turkey and Libya in 2019, considering that it ignores the existence of Greek islands such as Crete and the Dodecanese islands, and thus is "legally ineffective".
Call to resume negotiations: Athens announced the formation of a new technical committee headed by Deputy Foreign Minister Alexandra Papadopoulou, to resume discussions on maritime boundary delimitation and the exclusive economic zone, which have been stalled since 2011.
Rejection of Libyan maritime lines: The letter challenged the straight baselines declared by Libya in 2005, considering the closing line of the Gulf of Sirte to be contrary to international law, affirming that these actions are illegal and do not reflect the geographical reality or maritime law.
Consistent legal position: Greece emphasized its consistent position that in the absence of boundary delimitation agreements, the equidistant median line from the nearest land should be adopted as the most appropriate boundary according to international law.
