Athens Plays Down Libyan Protest Over Crete Oil Surveys, Says Note Dates From August

14:40 14/10/2026 - Πηγή: iEfimerida

Greek diplomatic sources have said that Libya's latest protest over Greek hydrocarbon surveys is not a new note but an August one restating Tripoli's standing positions, after reports that Libya had threatened to halt bilateral talks.

The note challenges Greek exploration and warns Tripoli could suspend negotiations, according

to Greek media.

The sources said the Foreign Ministry has already answered through diplomatic channels, calling the claims baseless.

Without a delimitation agreement, Greece applies the median line, as international law provides, the sources said. They noted Libya itself offered offshore blocks based on that line.

The two countries are still discussing delimiting their exclusive economic zones, and the sources said talks do not mean Greece suspends legitimate sovereign rights or accepts unilateral claims.

The dispute centers on blocks south of Crete where U.S. oil company Chevron plans surveys with HelleniQ Energy.

Libya says more than 85% of two blocks lie in its waters.

It has challenged the median line at the United Nations, relying on a 2019 maritime deal with Turkey that Athens calls legally void because the two countries' coasts do not face each other.

Greece's energy minister said last week Chevron and HelleniQ's seismic work is due by the end of 2026. Greece has also opened a tender for wider surveys across the Ionian and south of Crete.

Libya's eastern-based government has also objected to Greek tenders in the area.

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Greek diplomatic sources have said that Libya's latest protest over Greek hydrocarbon surveys is not a new note but an August one restating Tripoli's standing positions, after reports that Libya had threatened to halt bilateral talks.

The note challenges Greek exploration and warns Tripoli could suspend negotiations, according to Greek media.

The sources said the Foreign Ministry has already answered through diplomatic channels, calling the claims baseless.

Without a delimitation agreement, Greece applies the median line, as international law provides, the sources said. They noted Libya itself offered offshore blocks based on that line.

The two countries are still discussing delimiting their exclusive economic zones, and the sources said talks do not mean Greece suspends legitimate sovereign rights or accepts unilateral claims.

The dispute centers on blocks south of Crete where U.S. oil company Chevron plans surveys with HelleniQ Energy.

Libya says more than 85% of two blocks lie in its waters.

It has challenged the median line at the United Nations, relying on a 2019 maritime deal with Turkey that Athens calls legally void because the two countries' coasts do not face each other.

Greece's energy minister said last week Chevron and HelleniQ's seismic work is due by the end of 2026. Greece has also opened a tender for wider surveys across the Ionian and south of Crete.

Libya's eastern-based government has also objected to Greek tenders in the area.

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Athens Plays Down Libyan Protest Over Crete Oil Surveys Says Note Dates From August,