Tripoli— A large delegation from the Government of National Unity (GNU) held talks with senior Turkish officials in Ankara focused on settling contracts concluded before 2011 and those signed in 2024 and 2025, according to a statement by the GNU.
The meetings, which took place on Thursday, dealt with “developing a practical plan” for many projects that have been stalled since 2011, with the hope that this would generate more joint-ventures between the GNU and Turkey, the statement added.
The statement did say the money values of these old contracts or project locations in Libya.
Politically, the GNU aims to continue strengthening its ties with Ankara at a time when the Turkish government is directing more attention and interest to the authorities in eastern Libya where it has already landed major reconstruction and other projects both in eastern and southern Libya.
The two delegations noted the remarkable growth in trade volume between Libya and Turkey, increasing by 31% during the first eight months of 2025 compared to the same period in 2024, stressing the importance of building on this momentum to enhance joint economic cooperation and support future investment projects, the statement added.
It was also announced that Turkey would implement a long-term, multiple-entry visa system for Libyan citizens, starting mid-September.
The meeting concluded with the Turkish side extending an official invitation to Libya to participate in the Turkish-African ministerial meeting scheduled for mid-October, emphasizing continued coordination between the two sides to enhance economic cooperation and achieve common interests that benefit both peoples, according to the statement.
The Libyan delegation was chaired by the Minister of Transport and Financial Advisor to the Prime Minister, Mohammed Al-Shahoubi. Mustafa Al-Manea, Head of the Executive Team for Presidential Initiatives and Strategic Projects, and Suhail Abu Sheha, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Economy and Trade, and Mustafa Al-Qalib, Libya’s Ambassador to Turkey, were also present, along with several representatives of executive bodies.
The Turkish delegation was chaired by the Minister of Trade, Omar Bulat, with the participation of his deputy, Ozker Volkan Agar, the President of the Turkish Contractors Union, and a number of directors of Turkish departments and institutions.