Summary:

On 19 June 2025, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Libya’s Government of National Unity (GNU) released a statement expressing its deep concern over Greece’s recent decision to launch an international tender for oil and gas exploration in maritime areas south of the island of Crete. 

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The Ministry denounced the measure as “a blatant violation of Libya’s sovereign rights,” emphasizing that several of the designated zones fall within contested maritime areas and parts of Libya’s claimed maritime borders. 

Tripoli stressed the importance of preserving the Mediterranean as a space for peace and cooperation, warning that unilateral actions risk fueling tensions. The Foreign Ministry urged Greece to act responsibly and prioritize dialogue and negotiation as the only credible path toward fair and lawful solutions. 

However, Greece affirmed that it is fully exercising its sovereign rights in line with international law and the law of the sea. Greece also emphasized that it remains open to dialogue, as long as it occurs within the bounds of international legal frameworks. 

It is noteworthy that the clash between Greece and Libya traces back to a 2019 memorandum of understanding between Türkiye and Libya’s GNU which allowed both countries to expand their maritime economic zones in the Mediterranean. This agreement was condemned by regional and international actors, including Greece, Egypt, Cyprus and the rival Libyan government in Tobruk, who do not recognize the GNU’s legitimacy. 

Outlook: 

The dispute between Libya’s Government of National Unity (GNU) and Greece over oil and gas exploration activities in contested maritime areas underscores the growing strategic and economic importance of this area of the Mediterranean Sea, which contain substantial hydrocarbon reserves and are increasingly central to regional energy competition and political influence.  

While Tripoli has engaged in talks with Turkish oil and gas firms regarding investment, the move also appears to be a strategic effort to strengthen its position and gain broader international legitimacy for its maritime claims. 

However, such moves risk escalating tensions, especially as the legal status of Libya’s competing governments and the broader geopolitical rivalries in the region remain complicated. 

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