The Libyan government in Tripoli has filed a formal protest with the United Nations, challenging Greece’s delineation of its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) south of Crete. Libya argues that the Greek EEZ, as published in the Official Journal of the European Union on June 12, encroaches on its maritime zones and violates its sovereign rights.
Tripoli’s diplomatic note claims Greece lacks the authority to grant hydrocarbon exploration and exploitation rights in the disputed maritime area. “This action is a clear violation of Libya’s sovereign rights and a unilateral measure without legal foundation or bilateral agreement,” the Libyan government stated. Accompanying the protest is Libya’s own EEZ map, based on the Turkey-Libya maritime memorandum, which contests Greece’s claims.
In response, Greek diplomatic sources dismissed Libya’s protest, noting that it relies on the Turkey-Libya memorandum, which Greece considers invalid. “Greece rejects any actions or measures based on agreements that lack validity under the International Law of the Sea,” they stated, confirming that an official response will be submitted to the UN.
Source: pagenews.gr