A dispute over energy exploration in the Mediterranean Sea has heightened diplomatic tensions between North Africa and Southern Europe. Libya has warned Greece that oil and gas exploration south of Crete could cause the formal suspension of bilateral negotiations regarding shared maritime boundaries.
- A dispute over Mediterranean energy exploration has increased tensions between Libya and Greece.
- Libya sent a diplomatic note to Athens objecting to oil and gas surveys south of Crete in contested waters.
- Libya claims the Greek activities violate its continental shelf rights, which it asserted at the UN in May 2025.
- The dispute was exacerbated by Chevron preparing to explore offshore energy fields in the area.
According to the Greek newspaper Proto Thema, Tripoli dispatched an official diplomatic note to Athens in August.
The communication expressed sharp objections to offshore energy activities taking place in disputed waters where the two nations have not yet finalized a maritime border agreement.
Libyan officials argued that these survey operations directly violate claims to its continental shelf, which were formally submitted to the United Nations on May 27, 2025.
The official complaint focused on Greek government plans for seismic research south of Crete, near the Peloponnese peninsula, and in the Ionian Sea.
Disagreements escalated as American energy corporation Chevron made preparations to execute offshore exploration maneuvers in the waters south of Crete.
In its diplomatic message, Tripoli emphasized that unilateral exploration steps threaten to derail delicate diplomatic progress.
According to Libya Observer, Libya warned that these activities could "undermine negotiations, which have made progress despite moving slowly, and potentially bring them to a halt".
Tripoli further referenced a prior mutual understanding between both governments to refrain from taking actions that might disrupt ongoing boundary talks.
Boundary negotiations between Libya and Greece face new strain
In response to the diplomatic warning, officials in Athens defended their legal position.
Greek diplomatic sources dismissed the objections raised by Tripoli, describing the assertions as "lacking a legal basis".
According to Proto Thema, Greece’s foreign ministry later responded to Libya’s note through official diplomatic channels.
Officials in Athens confirmed that despite the diplomatic friction, formal talks regarding maritime boundaries remain active and ongoing between the two Mediterranean neighbors.