Sea maps at the heart of new regional disputes
LIBYA – An analytical report by the English-language edition of the Italian newspaper Il Sole 24 Ore has highlighted what it described as a “confrontational alliance” of Italy, Tunisia and Greece on the maritime borders file linked to Libya and Turkey.
Document battle at the United Nations
The report, which Al-Marsad followed and from which it translated key analytical points, said a battle over official documents is under way in the corridors of the United Nations after Rome submitted a technical update concerning its areas of jurisdiction.
Italian, Greek and Tunisian objections
According to the report, Italy objected to what it described as “Tripoli’s expansionist ambitions”, noting that the file is also under scrutiny from Athens and Tunisia, while gas, undersea cables and competition in the eastern Mediterranean form the background, with Ankara expressing concern over Greek moves.
Exclusive economic zones and the continental shelf
According to the report, a delicate game is under way at the United Nations over maritime borders and the potential exploitation of resources on the Mediterranean seabed, with Italy, Greece and Tunisia in an alliance to redefine exclusive economic zones and jurisdiction over the continental shelf.
Libyan expansion ambitions and Turkish support, according to the report
The report added that this alliance is met by a Libyan desire to expand, which it said is clearly backed by Turkey under Recep Tayyip Erdoğan in a way that ensures opposition to Athens.
New Italian coordinates since 24 September
The report noted that on 24 September Italy submitted its new baseline coordinates to the United Nations to replace earlier ones dating back to 1996.
It went on to say that the coordinates show, in the Italian view, that certain sectors of the borders claimed by Tripoli violate Italian rights and interests, stressing that overlapping maritime claims require an agreed border demarcation, while diplomatic and legal disputes remain unresolved.
Resources, cables and the Green Stream pipeline
The report said Libya, Italy, Greece and Tunisia attach great importance to the lines drawn on the maps because of the potential presence of underwater resources, as well as the strategic value of infrastructure and undersea cables running across the seabed, including the Green Stream gas pipeline.
99% of internet traffic via undersea cables
The report added that about 99% of intercontinental internet traffic passes through undersea communications cables, noting that Rome’s management of the file has become more complex because of the importance of maintaining good relations with Libya to meet Italy’s energy needs.
