The research vessel Abeille Marengo has set sail from Italy to conduct surveys for the electrical interconnection between Greece and Cyprus. The vessel is expected to arrive in Heraklion on Tuesday, October 27, with the issuance of the relevant NAVTEX notice also anticipated. Surveys for the electrical interconnection are expected to begin at the six-nautical-mile boundary off Kasos island. The NAVTEX will reveal the exact area where the vessel will be operating.
Greece-Cyprus electrical interconnection: Ankara’s reaction
It is worth noting that Turkey has requested written notification of the maritime surveys, including their precise coordinates. According to Ankara, the aim is to prevent the creation of new facts on the ground and to preserve the existing status quo. This position was expressed by Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan in response to a question from the newspaper Ta Nea, following his address at the European Policy Centre (EPC) in Brussels.
Minister Papastavrou’s statement
Meanwhile, the GSI cable took center stage in a meeting between Greek Environment and Energy Minister Stavros Papastavrou and the President of the Cypriot House of Representatives, Annita Demetriou.
Papastavrou’s post read: “Today I had the pleasure of welcoming to the Ministry of Environment and Energy the President of the Democratic Rally (DISY) and President of the House of Representatives of the Republic of Cyprus, Annita Demetriou. We held a substantive discussion on energy security, the electrical interconnection between Greece, Cyprus, and Israel through the European project Great Sea Interconnector (GSI), as well as regional developments in the Eastern Mediterranean.
We reaffirmed our commitment to closely coordinate our efforts toward the implementation of the GSI — a project of strategic importance for ending Cyprus’s energy isolation and strengthening energy security and network resilience.
We also underscored the geopolitical significance of the interconnection for Greece, Cyprus, Israel, the broader Eastern Mediterranean region, and Europe as a whole. Greece and Cyprus continue to work together to implement connectivity projects that serve European decisions, enhance cooperation, and promote stability and security in the region, with an unwavering commitment to International Law and international legitimacy.”
