From Tripoli, where he is currently visiting, Greek Foreign Minister Giorgos Gerapetritis delivered a message of peace and good neighbourly relations on Tuesday, July 15. “There are no problems that cannot be solved through dialogue,” he stated, emphasizing the importance of diplomacy and regional cooperation.
During his official visit to the Libyan capital and meetings with the country’s political leadership, Gerapetritis highlighted Libya as Greece’s natural neighbor—an ally in both culture and history.
He reiterated Athens’ long-standing positions, rooted in international law and the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), rejecting the legally unfounded logic behind the Turkish-Libyan memorandum. Migration policy was also expected to be part of the discussions.
“It is a great honor to be in Tripoli today,” Gerapetritis said. “On behalf of the Greek government and the Greek people, I bring a message of peace, friendship, and good neighborliness. Libya is Greece’s natural neighbor, an ally of civilization and history, and we aim to move forward together in pursuit of broader regional peace and security.”
He went on to stress that geography and shared history far outweigh any divisive issues, expressing his hope that this visit would mark the beginning of a constructive and mutually beneficial relationship between the two nations. “Greece can and should be Libya’s voice in Europe and the world,” he added.
The timing of the visit is particularly significant, as it comes against the backdrop of escalating tensions sparked by Libya’s recent note verbale to the United Nations, in which Tripoli formally disputes Greece’s maritime boundary delineations.
At the heart of the dispute is the median line used by Athens to define exploration blocks southwest and south of Crete—areas Greece has opened for energy licensing.
This marks the first time Libya has officially asserted a claim over these zones, citing the controversial 2019 maritime agreement it signed with Turkey. The move has added a new layer of strain to an already volatile regional landscape.
Libya’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Taher Al-Baour, welcomed the Greek delegation warmly, stating, “We are peoples of the Mediterranean. Libyan-Greek relations have remained strong through the centuries. Naturally, there are issues that arise between states, but such problems should not obstruct the development of bilateral relations.”
“Let this visit be the beginning of a positive turning point in our countries’ relations,” Al-Baour concluded.
