The European Commission emphasized today (2/9) the strategic importance of the “GSI” (Great Seas Interconnector) project, which involves the electrical interconnection of Greece and Cyprus through an undersea cable, characterizing it as a priority investment of common European interest.
The Commission’s spokesperson for energy affairs, Anna Kaisa, commented on the recent statements by the Turkish government regarding obstruction of the project, emphasizing its significance for the region’s energy policy and infrastructure.
Commission: “We want to see a solution found so the project can continue”
“We have invested in this project. It is not only important for us, but also for the region and obviously it is something we would like to see implemented within the planned timeline, according to the studies in which we also participated, and we want to see a solution found so the project can continue,” Anna Kaisa initially stated.
She added that relevant statements have been made and that the Commission has reminded at a political level that “it is important to find a solution and move this project forward, given its significance for the region.”
She also noted that Energy Commissioner Dan Jørgensen has discussed this issue with both his counterparts in Turkey and with those participating in this project.
The Commission spokesperson mentioned that there have indeed been “delays” and “problems” in implementing this “important project” that the Commission would like to see realized “as soon as possible.”
Subsequently, she stated that the European Commission is monitoring it, remaining in contact with counterparts at both political and technical levels, saying that “it is in our interest to know what is happening, given that we have invested in this project and there is political commitment.”
The GSI is a project of paramount strategic importance for the Commission, for which the EU has approved a grant of 657 million euros through the Connecting Europe Facility and an additional 100 million euros has been provided through the Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF).
