The Tripoli based Libyan Ministry of Oil and Gas said that it denounces the agreement concluded between Egypt and South Korea regarding the export of Libyan oil through the Egyptian port of Garjoub, according to the official statement contained on the website and official Facebook page of the Egyptian Ministry of Transport.
On the Facebook page of the Egyptian on 28 November, the statement read: “The Egyptian government, represented by the Ministry of Transport, signs a memorandum of understanding with the South Korean government, represented by the South Korean company STX,” and in the part that concerns Libya, it stated: “Establishing an oil pipeline from Libyan territory to the port of Garjoub and re-exporting it to European countries.”
Libyan denunciation
In an exclusive interview with Libya Herald, the Director of the Media Office at the Ministry of Oil and Gas, Ahmed Al-Tarhouni, said that the Ministry denounced what was stated in the Egyptian statement regarding Libya and its rights to impose its sovereignty over its economic capabilities in all the country.
Libya unaware of agreement
Al-Tarhouni explained that the statement of condemnation confirmed that the Ministry of Oil and Gas was not aware, neither closely nor remotely, of the agreement concluded between the Egyptian side and South Korea regarding the export of Libyan oil through the port of Garjoub.
More appropriate to involve Libya
He pointed out that the Ministry stressed that it would have been more appropriate, according to the prevailing regulations, systems and laws in force in the Libyan state, to notify the Ministry of Oil and Gas of such strategic matters in order to provide sound technical opinions issued by Libyan competencies and active and influential figures in the oil sector.
Libya welcomes joint hydrocarbon cooperation
Al-Tarhouni said that the Ministry of Oil and Gas welcomed, through its statement, any joint cooperation in the field of oil and energy between Libya and Egypt, in a way that achieves the common benefit and complementary interests of both parties in accordance with the full sovereignty of each country. The Ministry encourages all development, energy and economic programmes related to the oil and gas sector in Libya, such as Libyan oil refining projects in Egypt for example.
Libya has seven oil exporting ports on the Mediterranean!
Al-Tarhouni noted that the ministry’s statement indicated that Libya has seven oil ports on the Mediterranean Sea through which crude oil, petroleum products, condensates, petrochemicals, etc. are exported. These ports start from Al-Hariga in the east to Mellitah in the west, which indicates that the state of Libya does not need another port outside its borders, there is absolutely no need to extend land oil lines in order to export oil, especially since the Libyan ports are very close to the European coasts, as is the specific case with the port of Hariga.
