Sources from the Turkish Ministry of Defense are sparking a new round of discussions regarding the Turkey-Libya memorandum, emphasizing that they “welcome” the fact that the Haftar side is reconsidering its positions.

Specifically, according to these sources, “The Memorandum on the Delimitation of Maritime Jurisdiction Areas signed between Turkey and Libya in 2019 is a fair agreement that protects the rights of both countries, as derived from international law.”

They continue, “In the Memorandum of Understanding, the median line between the mainland territories was used as the basis for determining maritime zones, and Libya’s rights were fully protected—contrary to the maximalist demands of other countries. Within the framework of the MoU, our alliance with Libya, which is based on historical ties, was also recorded at sea. We positively welcome the fact that the Haftar side has put the Memorandum under review, and we are closely monitoring developments.”

It is noted that even before it became known that the Parliament in Eastern Libya would consider the Memorandum with a view toward ratification, a plan had already been formed in Athens to restore channels of communication—both with the Dbeibah government in Tripoli and with the two key power figures in Eastern Libya: the Parliament Speaker Aguila Saleh and General Haftar.

There was, in fact, intensive diplomatic preparation (Greek Ambassador N. Garilidis met with the Libyan Foreign Minister last week) so that within June, Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis could visit Tripoli—marking the first high-level contact since Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and then Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias visited the Libyan capital in April 2021.

Critical relationships

The fact that Libya is a neighboring country and that basic communication is necessary not only for the management of maritime zone issues but also for migration—given that it has become the primary gateway for illegal migration to Greece—makes the restoration of communication channels imperative.

All the more so now, as Libya is in dire need of European support, which provides the Greek government with a strong diplomatic lever. Greece, also a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council, plays a crucial role in Council decisions regarding Libya, where in the coming days, a proposal from the UN envoy is expected to be submitted for approval. This proposal includes a comprehensive plan to resolve the political crisis in the country.

George Gerapetritis will face an extremely challenging mission, assuming the security conditions in the country—which have deteriorated in recent weeks—allow the visit to take place, as he will have to balance between Tripoli and Tobruk.

The latest move by the Parliament to form a special committee to examine the Turkey-Libya Memorandum is seen as both a warning to Athens and an incentive to Ankara. However, it also reveals the depth of Turkish penetration in Libya, which is no longer limited to the Tripoli government but has made inroads into the eastern side as well.