Greek deputy minister says Turkey’s permission not needed for Great Sea Interconnector

Athens, Greece. Turkey’s permission is not required for the Great Sea Interconnector project linking the energy grids of Cyprus, Greece and Israel, Greek Deputy Foreign Minister Tasos Chatzivasileiou said on Thursday.

He said planning for the cable was continuing normally under international law, ahead of expected seabed surveys between Cyprus and Crete.

Project planning

“Planning for the cable is continuing as normal. Based on international law, permission is not required, let alone for a peaceful infrastructure project which will connect Europe with the Middle East,” Chatzivasileiou told Greek television channel Skai.

He said French asset management firm Meridiam’s purchase of a majority stake in the project constituted “a vote of confidence” and meant that the project was safe.

“Greece is not going to leave any provocation unanswered and will not give in over any of its national interest … The planning is continuing as normal. Calmness and patience. The project is European,” he said.

Seabed surveys

In the coming weeks or months, the Greek government is expected to issue a navtex, a message used to transmit information to seaborne vessels, warning sailors of plans to conduct seabed surveys for cable-laying between Cyprus and Crete.

Greece’s independent transmission system operator Admie, which owned the interconnector project until Meridiam bought it earlier this month, said about 60 per cent of the seabed surveys had been completed.

It said the remaining 40 per cent of the affected seabed is in disputed waters claimed by both Greece and Turkey.

Previous tensions

Conflicting claims have previously impeded seabed surveys between Cyprus and Greece.

In 2024, Turkish naval vessels were deployed after the Italian research vessel Ievoli Reulme entered waters Turkey considers its own. The vessels escorted the research ship away from Turkey, while Greece dispatched naval vessels, including the frigates Nikiforos Fokas and Aittitos, to the area.

Greek Foreign Minister Giorgos Gerapetritis has indicated that Greece would again be prepared to send warships into the disputed waters if a similar dispute arose and Turkey did the same.