Turkey has signalled its intention to block a planned undersea power cable between Greece and Cyprus, claiming the project crosses its continental shelf, sources familiar with the matter said.
The move threatens to derail the major infrastructure project as Cypriot Energy Minister George Papanastasiou and his Greek counterpart Theodoros Skylakakis prepare to meet in Athens on Thursday for crucial talks.
Turkish naval vessels have already approached within 10 nautical miles of an Italian research vessel conducting seabed surveys north of Crete, prompting Greece to dispatch warships to the area, Greek media reported.
The Turkish government maintains that any seabed surveys or cable-laying operations in the disputed areas would require permits from Turkish authorities, effectively asserting control over waters near Crete and west of Paphos.
French company Nexans and Greek power grid operator IPTO have deemed the seabed surveys crucial for the project’s progression, raising questions about its viability if Turkey maintains its stance.
The dispute has contributed to the indefinite postponement of a planned High-Level Cooperation Council meeting between Greece and Turkey that was scheduled for March in Ankara, according to Turkish newspaper Turkiye.
The project has also faced internal challenges, with Cyprus expressing concerns over the transfer of the interconnection project from IPTO to its subsidiary Great Sea Interconnector (GSI).
The Cypriot government is considering purchasing shares in GSI but has raised legal and technical concerns about the concession agreement.
Meanwhile, previous reports of a finalised agreement between IPTO and French investment fund Meridiam for a 49.9% stake in GSI have not materialised into a binding deal, sources said.
Cyprus’s energy regulator CERA is expected to meet with its Greek counterpart RAAEU and IPTO in Athens on Thursday to discuss outstanding regulatory matters, including cost recovery issues related to the project.
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