Disy demands clarity from government over Great Sea Interconnector

Nicosia, Cyprus. Disy has backed Diko’s criticism of Finance Minister Makis Keravnos over the handling of the Great Sea Interconnector, urging the government to provide specific and convincing answers on the project.

Call for government position

Disy said Keravnos’ tone and dismissive comments were unacceptable and lowered the standard of political debate, adding that his approach undermined the project.

The party said it was unacceptable for a project described by the government as strategically and nationally important to be accompanied by conflicting statements, hesitation and an absence of clear political commitment.

Disy said Cyprus could not afford to become estranged from Greece because of mismanagement, describing the interconnector as a project that could end the country’s energy isolation.

It said the project should be a bridge for cooperation and strategic alignment between Cyprus and Greece, rather than a cause of political division. It added that it should provide a basis for further interconnection with the European Union, Israel and other neighbouring countries.

Disy called on the government to clarify its position, end what it described as double talk and assume responsibility for its decisions.

Disagreement over viability

The intervention follows repeated public differences between Keravnos and other cabinet members over the project’s viability.

Keravnos has said cabinet-commissioned studies found that the €1.9 billion project was not sustainable. He has also repeatedly noted that the European Investment Bank had previously declined to finance it and had recommended investment in energy storage instead.

He also rejected Diko leader Nicolas Papadopoulos’ argument that the project should be accelerated to prevent Turkey from completing a rival interconnection with the occupied north, saying that Cyprus could not stop Turkey if it chose to build an interconnection.

Keravnos also dismissed Diko’s calls for his resignation.