Mitsotakis’ visit to Libya | “Greece is ready to support Libya in all ways”  

An οficial visit, which marks the resumption of Greek-Libyan relations, takes place today in the neighboring country by the Prime Minister, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, who will be accompanied by Minister of Foreign Affairs, Nikos Dendias. “Libya is taking the first steps to restore normalcy and Greece will do everything it can to strengthen it. A necessary condition for normalcy is the withdrawal of all foreign troops and mercenaries. 

“In a Libya-under-normalcy, the Turkish-Libyan memorandum on the sharing of marine life cannot be in force,” said Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias from Belgrade yesterday. In the same vein, the government spokeswoman, Aristotle Peloni, pointed out in yesterday’s briefing of political authors that “Greece supports the new government and is ready to support its effort to lead the country to credible and inclusive elections, and, in turn, to political normalcy and reconstruction.” Asked about this, Ms. Peloni confirmed that during his meetings in Libya, Kyriakos Mitsotakis will raise the issue of the illegal Turkish-Libyan memorandum to his interlocutors.

Also read: Nikos Dendias | Greece will not become “Pavlov’s dog” for Turkey 

In terms of this, in fact, he stated that “in this new era, it is important for Libya to be extricated from what ‘pulls it down’, such as the presence of foreign forces and mercenaries on its territory. “But it should also be extricated from texts that are baseless and violate international law,” pointing out that Greece is ready to support Libya and the Libyans in all ways, both bilaterally and in the European framework.

There is a strong belief in Athens that the reopening of the Greek Embassy in Tripoli, as well as the re-establishment of the Consulate General in Benghazi will significantly contribute to the strengthening of bilateral cooperation in all areas, especially in energy, construction and security with significant prospects in economic and trade relations.

According to the official schedule, Kyriakos Mitsotakis will meet the Prime Minister of the Transitional Government of the National Unity of Libya (GNU), Abdul Hamid Dbeibeh at 15:25 local time (16:25 Greece time). At the same time, Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias will have a meeting with his counterpart Najla al-Mangoush. Extended talks of the delegations will follow and then the two leaders will make statements to the press. At 17:00 local time (18:00 Greece time), Kyriakos Mitsotakis will meet with the President of the Presidential Council of Libya, Mohamed al-Menfi, and then extended talks will follow.

The visit of the Greek Prime Minister will end with his visit to the Greek Embassy in Libya.

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