The Libyan Ministry of Oil and Gas has denounced an agreement between Egypt and South Korea regarding the export of Libyan oil through the Egyptian port of Garjoub. The agreement, announced on the Egyptian Ministry of Transport’s Facebook page on November 28th, detailed plans to establish an oil pipeline from Libya to Garjoub for subsequent re-export to Europe.
Director of the Media Office at the Ministry of Oil and Gas, Ahmed Al-Tarhouni, expressed strong disapproval of the agreement, citing concerns over Libyan sovereignty and lack of transparency. He emphasized that the Ministry was unaware of any discussions or negotiations surrounding the deal, emphasizing that such strategic decisions should involve proper notification and consultation with Libyan authorities.
Despite the disapproval, Al-Tarhouni affirmed Libya’s openness to joint oil and energy cooperation with Egypt. He highlighted the potential for mutually beneficial projects, including Libyan oil refining initiatives in Egypt. However, any collaborative effort must respect the full sovereignty of both countries and comply with existing regulations and laws.
Furthermore, Al-Tarhouni highlighted the redundancy of the proposed pipeline, pointing to the existence of seven operational oil ports on the Libyan Mediterranean coast. These ports, from Al-Hariga in the east to Mellitah in the west, efficiently handle the export of crude oil, petroleum products, and other oil and gas derivatives. Their proximity to European markets further undermines the need for additional infrastructure outside of Libya’s borders.
The Ministry’s stance reflects Libya’s commitment to safeguarding its economic independence and ensuring transparent management of its oil resources. While open to collaborative ventures, Libya will prioritize projects that respect its sovereignty and serve its national interests.