 | This article'sfactual accuracy may be compromised due to out-of-date information. Please help update this article to reflect recent events or newly available information.(April 2011) |
 | |
 Germany |  Libya |
|---|---|
Germany–Libya relations are bilateral relations between theCentral European state ofGermany and theNorth African state ofLibya. Germany is represented in Libya with an embassy inTripoli (currently closed) and a diplomatic office inBenghazi, while Libya has an embassy inBerlin (currently closed). The relationship between these countries was tense in the late 1980s following a bombing incident, but improved since with increasingly close co-operation especially on economic matters.[1][2] However, during the2011 Libyan civil war, Germany sided politically with theNational Transitional Council, which it recognized as Libya's legitimate government after severing ties withMuammar Gaddafi's regime.
German involvement in Libya dates back to at least theWestern Desert Campaign, when Libya was a colony of the Kingdom of Italy.
Libya was later blamed for the1986 Berlin discotheque bombing after telex messages had been intercepted from Libya to the LibyanEast Berlin embassy congratulating them on a job well done.
In 1997, Germany was Libya's second "most important trading partner."[3] As David E. Long and Bernard Reich write, "Libya's relations with Western Europe--especially those with Germany...with which Libya has extensive business dealings--have been better than its relations with the United States....Libya also exports its light, sweet crude to Western Europe, primarily to Germany..."[4]
In 2004, a delegation led by Germany's deputy foreign minister visited Libya. During the visit they met theLibyan President to discuss bilateral ties and mutual collaboration. Another issue discussed waslandmines planted by theGerman Army duringWorld War II.Xinhua reported that this meeting also resulted in "the inking of big deals in the energy sector, ushering in a brand-new relationship between Libya and Germany."[5]
In 2020,ChancellorAngela Merkel announced that Germany would host peace talks between Libya's fighting parties.[6]
| Africa | .svg) | |
|---|---|---|
| Americas | ||
| Asia | ||
| Europe | ||
| Oceania | ||
| Former | ||
| Missions | ||
| Related articles | ||
 | This article aboutbilateral relations is astub. You can help Wikipedia byexpanding it. |
