Libya challenges maritime boundaries with Italy and Tunisia at the United Nations

On May 27, 2025, Libya submitted a formal note and map to the United Nations, unilaterally defining its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) in the Mediterranean. This declaration, which references the 2019 Turkey-Libya memorandum, has sparked immediate opposition from Greece, which argues the move encroaches on its continental shelf south of Crete. Beyond the dispute with Greece, Libya has also expanded maritime boundary conflicts to include Italy and Tunisia. Tunisia previously had a joint case with Libya before the International Court of Justice, which resulted in a specific ruling. Athens has responded by conducting two rounds of talks with the Tripoli government, led by Deputy Minister Alexandra Papadopoulou, and has discussed the issue with East Libyan leader Khalifa Haftar via Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis. To solidify its own sovereign rights, Greece has licensed two offshore blocks south of Crete for exploration by Chevron. While Libya claims its borders are based on international law, Greece maintains that these interpretations are arbitrary and violate established legal frameworks.