The Greece-Cyprus electricity interconnection project is entering a “decisive phase toward its implementation,” Government Spokesman Konstantinos Letymbiotis said.
Speaking to OPEN television on the latest developments surrounding the Great Sea Interconnector, Letymbiotis stressed the importance of a French company’s participation in the project, saying it strengthens both the technical and the geopolitical and diplomatic dimensions of the project. Asked directly whether French involvement reduces geopolitical risk, he went further, saying it strengthens the diplomatic power of Greece and Cyprus specifically.
“France’s involvement strengthens our diplomatic power far more,” he said, referring to Cyprus, Greece, France and the European Union acting together.
The European character of the project
Letymbiotis placed particular emphasis on the European character of the electricity interconnection, noting that it is not a project concerning only Greece and Cyprus.
He recalled that the Great Sea Interconnector is a Project of Common European Interest, a designation the European Commission gives to energy projects it considers a priority, and which it has placed high among its priorities for the European Union’s energy interconnection.
Christodoulides in contact with Mitsotakis and Macron
Letymbiotis confirmed reports of contacts between President Nikos Christodoulides and Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and French President Emmanuel Macron.
He said the contacts took place both before the official announcement of French participation and in recent days, with the aim of high-level political coordination on a project that is a priority for Athens and Nicosia.
“Room for diplomacy” over possible Turkish reaction
Asked about the possibility of a Turkish reaction once surveys begin, the Government Spokesman avoided pre-empting developments, stressing that Greece and Cyprus would initially give room to diplomacy.
He signalled, however, that the Republic of Cyprus would not allow its sovereign rights to be questioned, nor would it tolerate any challenge to them.
Updated studies expected
Referring to the financial side of the Great Sea Interconnector, Letymbiotis said Greece and Cyprus had jointly approached the European Investment Bank, aiming to update the technical and financial data.
He said the relevant studies would likely be available in the coming period, and would complete the picture regarding the project’s progress and prospects for implementation.
