Greek and Libyan Foreign Ministers Meet to Discuss Migration and Maritime Disputes
Greece's top diplomat in Tripoli to discuss migrant arrivals and maritime disputes with Libya.
The Greek and Libyan foreign ministers held talks on migration in Tripoli on Monday, a Libyan government statement said.
The meeting comes after an influx of migrants arriving in European waters, particularly Greece, in recent months.
Greece’s top diplomat Giorgos Gerapetritis met with Libyan counterpart Taher Al-Baour to discuss adopting a ‘global approach based on burden-sharing’ and enhancing security cooperation.
Migrants often attempt the dangerous crossing from Libya to the Greek island of Crete, serving as a gateway to the European Union.
In late March, 22 people died while adrift in the Mediterranean Sea after leaving from Libya; their bodies were thrown overboard according to survivors who were later rescued off Crete.
Earlier this month, Greek authorities reported rescuing more than 300 migrants over a couple of days.
The ministers also addressed the long-standing dispute between Greece and Libya’s UN-recognized government concerning their exclusive economic zones in the Mediterranean.
The Libyan foreign ministry statement reaffirmed both countries’ commitment to maintaining a constructive dialogue based on international law.
Libya has been at odds with Greece since 2019, when it signed a maritime delimitation agreement with Turkey.
Greece argues that this agreement disregards the rights of Greek islands, including Crete.
Libya remains in a state of political division and instability following years of unrest after the 2011 NATO-backed uprising that led to the fall of longtime leader Muammar Qaddafi.
Gerapetritis also discussed migration with military commander Khalifa Haftar in Benghazi last month.
The meeting comes after an influx of migrants arriving in European waters, particularly Greece, in recent months.
Greece’s top diplomat Giorgos Gerapetritis met with Libyan counterpart Taher Al-Baour to discuss adopting a ‘global approach based on burden-sharing’ and enhancing security cooperation.
Migrants often attempt the dangerous crossing from Libya to the Greek island of Crete, serving as a gateway to the European Union.
In late March, 22 people died while adrift in the Mediterranean Sea after leaving from Libya; their bodies were thrown overboard according to survivors who were later rescued off Crete.
Earlier this month, Greek authorities reported rescuing more than 300 migrants over a couple of days.
The ministers also addressed the long-standing dispute between Greece and Libya’s UN-recognized government concerning their exclusive economic zones in the Mediterranean.
The Libyan foreign ministry statement reaffirmed both countries’ commitment to maintaining a constructive dialogue based on international law.
Libya has been at odds with Greece since 2019, when it signed a maritime delimitation agreement with Turkey.
Greece argues that this agreement disregards the rights of Greek islands, including Crete.
Libya remains in a state of political division and instability following years of unrest after the 2011 NATO-backed uprising that led to the fall of longtime leader Muammar Qaddafi.
Gerapetritis also discussed migration with military commander Khalifa Haftar in Benghazi last month.
