Greek Prime Minister to Visit Libya This Week

Greece’s Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis is visiting Libya today in an attempt to normalize relations with the newly formed government. Kyriakos’s visit comes amidst the reopening of the Greek embassy in Libya. Greek-Libyan relations have been virtually non-existent since 2014. The new government, headed by Abdul Hamid Dbeibah and backed by the UN and a large majority of countries, hopes to bring peace and stability to the war-torn country.

By establishing and normalizing relations between the two government’s, it is likely Greece is using this as an opportunity to counter perceived Turkish aggression in the Mediterranean Sea. In 2019 the Libyan Government of National Accord signed a maritime agreement with Turkey essentially claiming large swaths of the Mediterranean Sea for maritime exploration and establishing an exclusive economic zone. These claims and actions were counter to what Greece perceives as their boundaries and territory.

Given the fact that the new government is supported by many countries, including in and around the Mediterranean Sea, it is likely Greece is trying to garner more support for their maritime claims and to counter Turkish influence in the region. In the coming days and weeks ahead, expect relations between the Greek and Libyan government to advance positively.