ENGLISH SECTION
23/06/2025 | 16:45
Papastavrou: Libya’s National Oil Corporation tender for offshore blocks follows the median line, just as Greece does
“The [Libyan] National Oil Corporation’s tender for Libya’s offshore blocks follows the median line, just like Greece does, in accordance with international law and global practice,” stated Environment and Energy Minister Stavros Papastavrou, speaking on Monday to SKAI TV.
Papastavrou, commenting on the recent reaction of the Libyan Ministry of Foreign Affairs regarding the offshore areas included in Greece’s international tender, described this reaction as a “ pretext”, noting the following: “Libya itself, prior to our acceptance of Chevron’s expression of interest on March 3rd, proceeded to announce a tender for its own offshore blocks. And if one looks at the map issued by Libya’s National Oil Corporation on March 3rd, it is clear that it fully follows the median line. In other words, it aligns with the tender we are conducting. One could argue that, following last week’s statements from the Libyan Ministry of Foreign Affairs, they changed their stance, they changed the maps. However, as of today, the Libyan National Oil Corporation still shows these blocks along the median line. Therefore, the National Oil Corporation itself currently contradicts its own Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as it accepts the median line. And it could not be otherwise, since without doing so, it wouldn’t be able to attract foreign investors. Greece does not abandon dialogue, always within the framework of international law.”
The Minister of Environment and Energy also stressed that the new crisis in the Middle East should prompt the EU to urgently adopt a common energy policy, one that would shield it from such crises.
“The absence of a common energy policy creates a two-speed Europe in the energy sector. And this is of great significance – something also highlighted by the Greek Prime Minister, Kyriakos Mitsotakis – which led, for the first time, to the formation of a special task force within the EU, set to convene before the end of June,” he added.
source ANA-MPA
