Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and Foreign Minister Giorgos Gerapetritis met in Athens with the Director General of the Libyan Fund for Development and Reconstruction, Belgasem Haftar, son of Libyan warlord and commander of the Tobruk-based Libyan National Army Khalifa Haftar, on Monday.
‘The historical relations between Greece and Libya were reaffirmed,’ sources told media, adding that also ‘ways to strengthen them in the economic and commercial sectors were discussed.’
The younger Haftar, Belgacem, is one of Haftar’s six sons, and was received by PM Mitsotakis himself in his capacity of director-general of the Libyan Fund for Development and Reconstruction.
Belgacem Haftar has recently visited Turkey and met with Turkish leadership.
Following a Gerapetritis – Haftat meeting on Sunday, a statement by foreign ministry spokesperson said the two sides referred to the historical relations between Greece and Libya and “their mutual desire to promote and build a sincere dialogue”. She also referred to preparations for an upcoming Greek business mission to Benghazi in the autumn.
The spokeswoman said Gerapetritis expressed satisfaction with the sharp decline in migrant flows from Tobruk to Crete, following his visit to Benghazi. She said both sides also confirmed that the training of Libyan coast guard personnel in Greece would continue, with a focus on maritime deterrence and control of irregular migration.
The spokeswoman said the Greek minister also reiterated the position expressed by both Athens and the EU on the issue of the invalid and unfounded Turkey-Libya memorandum.
Greece is keen to keep good relations with both government of Libya, especially regarding the migrants’ flow and the Turkey-Libya maritime agreement.
A week later, mid September, Athens will also receive the acting Foreign Minister Taher Salem Al Baour, representing the Government of National Unity (GNU).
