Greek sources reported on Wednesday that Libyan coastguard officers had begun training on the Greek Island of Crete, as part of an effort to improve cooperation between the two countries and stem the surge of migrants arriving.

The maritime boundary agreement, signed by the Tripoli-based Libyan Government and Turkey in 2019, a long-standing enemy of Greece, has strained relations between Greece and Libya.

The tender Greece held this year for the development of hydrocarbon resources near Crete rekindled tensions. Meanwhile, a surge in migration from North Africa into Europe has led Athens' to deploy frigates offshore Libya and pass legislation that prohibits migrants arriving by sea from Libya from requesting asylum.

Relations have been further complicated by the factional division of Libya into eastern and west sections over the past decade. Greece has said it will continue to talk to both the Tripoli government and the parallel administration in Benghazi, to the east.

In Greece, officers of the coast guard from eastern Libya are currently undergoing training, which includes areas like patrolling, search and rescue operations, and more. Sources say that coast guard officers from west Libya will also be expected to participate in this training.

In an effort to improve relations, Athens invited Tripoli's internationally recognized government to begin talks about demarcating exclusive economies zones in the Mediterranean Sea last week.

Greek sources say that both countries will hold discussions on maritime zones within the next few months. Reporting by Renee Maltezou, Editing by Bernadette B. Baum

(source: Reuters)