Erdogan: Implements Turkish-Libyan Memorandum – “Dangers” for Greece

A decisive step towards its implementation Turkish-Libyan Memorandum Ankara did so on Monday by signing a new agreement with Libya on hydrocarbons in 2019. A move that diplomats and analysts highlight is not just the need to force Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan into a conflict by betting on a pre-election period and a sterile nationalism and diversion, but has deep roots.

The implementation of the Turkish-Libyan memorandum is part of the sealing of the story “Blue Country” on particular facts. Although these cannot be ruled out based on specific estimates, they are planned to be attempted in the near future.

Also read: Turkish media: Athens got what it feared

The Turkey As with the signing of the first Turkish-Libyan memorandum in 2019, it showed a “step up” in its actions from Greece. If the first reference has some nuances – signs, this time, both Tripoli and Ankara ensured to act with extreme secrecy and gained the advantage of “surprise”.

Turkey needs Dbeiba’s support

According to the Libya Desk (advisory agency), which criticizes the signing of the new memorandum of understanding, “Dbeiba, like his predecessor Sarraj, signed the agreements out of desperation to confirm Turkey’s role as a strategic ally. Power.

“For him, this deal is necessary because he believes that only the Turks can help control and manage his alliance with armed groups in Tripoli.”

Ankara’s reinvestment and retention of power in the throes of a weakened Libyan government shows the legitimacy of its moves and its quest to legitimize the Blue Homeland narrative.

Is Greece paying for its inaction?

Petros Liakouras, Professor of International Law at the University of Piraeus, commented on the Memorandum on Hydrocarbons (First Plan), stressing that this leads to the implementation of the Turkish-Libyan demarcation.

He also underlined that Greece should not let time pass, proceed with the demarcations and seriously consider the appeal case at the International Court of Justice in The Hague.

As the professor pointed out, Greece is paying for past mistakes of doing nothing. He noted that once Libya found itself in a difficult moment, Ankara took advantage of it and did the Turkish-Libyan thing, adding that it was time to act even under pressure to add that we were facing a defeat. Also, the never-done is overruled.

Regions and possibilities

It is noteworthy that the new Turkey-Libya agreement includes parts of the Turkish-Libyan memorandum and part of the area demarcated by Greece and Egypt. According to Petros Liakouras, in this area, Greece has the ability to intercept ships coming to explore or mine.

The second part covers a large area from the 24th to the 26th meridian, i.e. 1/3 of Crete and in this area there is a Turkish-Libyan monument, so it creates rights for Libya that cannot be compared with Greece.

But they do not create what we call an objective situation in international law. That is, if they want to accept the existence of a Turkish-Libyan EEZ, if they don’t want to, they won’t accept it.

The third part is that Libya will gradually develop its rights, which in essence are old claims and – according to the map provided by the Turks – they are actually a breath away from Crete.

As the professor of international law underlines, this is an off-limits area from both sides. No government can take unilateral actions, at least when they are not in good faith.

He also recalls that at the end of 2019 Greece licensed blocks in these areas under the controversial Manitis Law by the Libyan government.

This is an area where neither Greece nor Libya can act, and it is very difficult to react according to the same reality. The same applies to Greece in areas where it is not defined under Crete where the Greek-Libyan Memorandum exists.

The same position for the third region is expressed by speaking to diplomats, who emphasize that no one can guarantee the attitude of even allies and partners. However, they stress that the interests threatened and vulnerable to Turkish moves after the Ankara-Tripoli memorandum on hydrocarbons may exceed Greece’s level.

Foreign powers see developments – Athens begins a diplomatic marathon

Diplomats from foreign countries involved in developments in Libya are also waiting, monitoring developments and awaiting Ankara’s next move.

In this context, Athens is starting a new diplomatic marathon, with Griagos Mitsotakis expected to urgently raise the issue of Turkish challenges at the Prague summit, emphasizing the developments in Libya.

Meanwhile, Nicos Dentias leaves for Cairo on Sunday. Egypt condemned the new Ankara-Tripoli accord on Monday.

On Tuesday, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan hit out at Greece again, targeting Kyriakos Mitsotakis. As he characteristically put it, “The Greek prime minister is asking the US for help. Against whom? Against Turkey”.

To warn, “We will always do whatever you do, and we are ready to do whatever.”